Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o unveiled the MamaCare Application and the Kisumu Mental Wellness Application, saying the platforms would help bridge gaps between health facilities and residents while supporting frontline healthcare workers.
MamaCare will enable expectant and new mothers to track clinic appointments, recognise pregnancy danger signs, monitor their babies’ growth and keep up with immunisation schedules after leaving hospital.
“Our ambition is clear: no mother should be left without the information and support she needs to protect her life and that of her child,” Nyong’o said.
He said the applications build on the county’s investment in digital health, including the digitisation of public health facilities and the establishment of a county-owned Health Data Centre.
However, Nyong’o cautioned that technology should complement, rather than replace, healthcare workers.
He said the digital tools must remain accessible, protect personal information and support the work of nurses, clinicians and Community Health Promoters.
The Kisumu Mental Wellness Application seeks to improve access to mental health support by providing users with an entry point for screening, initial guidance and referrals for professional care where necessary.
Nyong’o said mental health had long been neglected and surrounded by stigma, leaving many people to suffer in silence.
“Mental health is not a luxury. It is an essential part of human dignity and universal health coverage,” he said. He cautioned that screening through the application should not be mistaken for a medical diagnosis.
The governor praised young innovators from Zone01 Kisumu, who developed the applications, describing them as “problem-solvers today” whose work could help address challenges facing local communities.
He challenged the county health department, led by Health executive Gregory Ganda, to ensure the platforms deliver measurable improvements, protect patient privacy and remain accessible to residents without smartphones.
“Behind every health statistic is a human life, a family and a community. Our success must be measured by the lives we save, the suffering we reduce and the dignity we restore, not just the technology we launch,” Nyong’o said.
Kisumu’s digital health applications offer a promising way to improve maternal care and expand access to mental health support, but their impact will depend on accessibility and effective implementation. While technology can help mothers track pregnancies and connect users to support, residents without smartphones risk being left behind. The county’s real test will be whether the platforms translate into timely interventions, stronger healthcare services and better patient outcomes.
