Kenya’s Boresha Afya Program Hits 1 Million Visits, PATH Schedules 2026 Evaluation

• Boresha Afya reached 1 million maternal health service visits since launch.
• PATH will conduct a formal program evaluation in August 2026.
• The initiative is implemented in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Health.

Boresha Afya is a flagship maternal health initiative led by Kenya’s Ministry of Health with technical support from PATH, a global health nonprofit. Launched in 2017, the program aims to increase quality and access to maternal, newborn, and child health services in high-need counties, particularly in western Kenya and arid/semi-arid lands. The one millionth maternal health visit was recorded at a Kisumu County health facility in June 2024, marking a major scale milestone for the initiative.

PATH’s scheduled evaluation for August 2026 is intended to measure progress against Kenya’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, focusing on maternal mortality and health system resilience. The evaluation will use disaggregated service delivery and outcomes data to account for regional disparities within Kenya. While the program’s scale is significant, PATH emphasizes that impact data—such as reductions in maternal mortality and increases in skilled birth attendance—will be critical for assessing genuine SDG advancement.

Donor reports and civil society observers, including Amref Health Africa, note that while Boresha Afya’s reach is impressive, concrete reductions in Kenya’s maternal mortality rate (currently estimated at 342 deaths per 100,000 live births, per WHO 2023) are not yet fully attributable to the program. With the 2026 evaluation, PATH and the Ministry of Health will seek to distinguish between programmatic service delivery and sustainable health outcomes, aiming for transparency to counter possible greenwashing.

A recurring concern among independent researchers is the need for robust third-party data verification. PATH and Kenya’s Ministry of Health have committed to open data protocols and stakeholder engagement throughout the 2026 evaluation process, in alignment with global best practices for SDG progress measurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Boresha Afya program and where is it implemented?

Boresha Afya is a maternal health service improvement initiative run by Kenya’s Ministry of Health in partnership with PATH. The program focuses on high-need regions, including western Kenya and arid or semi-arid counties, aiming to boost maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes through improved access and quality of services.

What will the August 2026 PATH evaluation assess?

PATH’s August 2026 evaluation will assess the program’s measurable impact on maternal health outcomes, including maternal mortality, skilled birth attendance, and disparities between regions. The evaluation will rely on detailed service data and stakeholder input to determine if the program’s large service numbers translate into sustained health improvements.

How does Kenya’s maternal mortality rate compare to the Boresha Afya program’s targets?

Kenya’s current maternal mortality rate is estimated at 342 deaths per 100,000 live births (WHO, 2023). Boresha Afya’s long-term goal is to significantly reduce this rate in line with SDG 3.1 targets. As of June 2024, it remains unclear to what extent observed reductions are directly attributable to the program, pending rigorous outcome evaluations.