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Wacha mama apumzike: Ruto urges men to embrace family planning
23rd July, 2026 12:16 PM
President William Ruto has urged Kenyan men to embrace family planning and support their partners by allowing them adequate time to recover between pregnancies.
Speaking during a meeting with Jua Kali artisans at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Ruto called on men not to take advantage of the government’s free maternity services under the Linda Jamii programme but instead to embrace family planning and plan the size of their families.
“Tumesema tutalipa mama apate mtoto, lakini si kazi yako ati kila siku kila siku, unajua hawa wanaume wenzangu, mimi naambia wanaume wenzangu msisumbue kina mama, ati unaambia mama ‘si unajua ile mahali ni free wacha sisi tuendele’ wacha mama apumzike kuwa na mpango,” Ruto said.
His remarks drew laughter from the audience as he used humour to stress the importance of family planning and responsible parenting.
Ruto said while the government has committed to ensuring mothers receive quality maternity services, men also have a responsibility to support women by giving them enough time to rest after childbirth.
The president highlighted the government’s expanded maternal healthcare programme, saying expectant mothers should not worry about the cost of delivering their babies in health facilities.
“Ile tulikuwa tunaita Linda Mama, sasa ni Linda Jamii, mama bora. Tu usikie boll imeingia. Kwanzia hapo, serikali ya Kenya itakulipia uende pale kwa clinic mbaka upate mtoto, na mtoto akipatikana tutahakikisha ya kwamba tunashugulikia mtoto na mama na mzee,” he added.
Ruto on Linda Jamii
Ruto explained that under the government’s healthcare reforms, mothers are entitled to comprehensive maternity care from pregnancy through delivery without having to shoulder the financial burden.
He added that the government has significantly increased funding for maternity services to improve access to quality healthcare and reduce maternal and infant deaths.
“Tumeweka pesa ya kutosha; lamani ilikuwa ukienda hospitali kupata mtoto ilikuwa imewekwa budget ya Ksh 4,000, lakini leo tumefanya mara tatu na kuhakikisha kwamba kila mama anaweza kujifungua mahali pana usafi, daktari, madawa, na tusipoteze wamama na watoto wetu,” Ruto said.
According to the president, increasing funding for maternal healthcare will enable more women to access skilled healthcare workers, essential medicines and clean delivery facilities, ultimately improving health outcomes for both mothers and newborns.
Ruto’s call for men to embrace family planning underscores the role both partners play in safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers while ensuring children are born into families that are prepared to care for them.
