When beauty meets birth: Inside the maternity ward rewriting Kenya’s healthcare story

The cosmetics are neatly arranged—nail polish and beauty-related products that wouldn't look out of place in a salon. But this isn't a spa in Nairobi's leafy suburbs. This is Riruta Health Centre in Kawangware, where maternity care has taken on a meaning far beyond medical charts and delivery rooms.

At this centre, expectant mothers are receiving pedicure and manicure services as part of their journey to motherhood—a refreshing departure from routine antenatal check-ups and delivery support that has turned this public facility into one of the most talked-about maternity centres in Kenya.

The initiative was introduced this year by Lilian Nyokabi, a community health promoter, to promote self-care and emotional well-being for women who often endure stress, fatigue and body changes during pregnancy. Over time, Ms Nyokabi has seen the services help boost confidence, relaxation and hygiene—elements that play a vital role in positive maternal health outcomes.

"People need to understand that when a mother has just given birth, she is usually very tired. Maybe during her pregnancy, she never went to a salon, but when she comes here, she leaves happy, and it also helps her avoid postpartum depression," she explains.

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Ms Nyokabi started the initiative by buying cosmetics herself. Later, the hospital supported her by purchasing beauty-related products. Then she took a bold step: she began sharing photos on social media, which attracted women from other counties who came seeking the quality services. Her intention was clear—to change the long-held belief that some public hospitals mistreat women.

"The furthest case is a lady from Mombasa who came to visit her sister, but with the intention of giving birth at this hospital. You find that at night, we have eight to 10 women in labour. During the day, we have 12 women," Ms Nyokabi says.

When the Nation visited the hospital, we found Christine Achieng, a resident from Nakuru and mother of two, who had been drawn by the photos she'd seen on social media. She had come intending to experience the services which many people assume are only offered in private hospitals.

"Public hospitals have had a bad reputation for a long time. I took that responsibility so that Kenyans can know that not every hospital is bad. Here, the nurses work together with us to advise on how to support each other,” Ms Achieng says.

She recalls her first delivery, when she left the hospital feeling worn out, without time even to care for her nails.

"I saw how they treat people well here; they even do makeup. When you leave this place, you don't think about going to a salon. Once you start breastfeeding, you don't have that time, and sometimes you don't even have money. I was also scared by the threats I received from nurses during my first delivery," she explains.

Relaxing treatments

The beauty treatment, she says, helped her body relax.

"I feel really good… I'd want to come back and give birth to my third and even fourth child here. I just hope in the future they won't change," she adds.

For many women, the experience has turned routine visits into moments of comfort.

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"I feel pampered every time I come here. It's not something you expect at a health centre, but it makes me happy and less anxious about giving birth," says Mary, a 27-year-old expectant mother in her third trimester.

In the room full of cosmetics, manicure and pedicure services are ongoing—not just for mothers who have delivered, but also for men who accompany their wives.

Evans Aswani, a father of four and resident of Kawangware, found himself being ushered into the room for a massage and relaxation. At first, he thought such services would mean extra charges.

"When I came to see my wife in the ward, it was very different. In the past, I was not even allowed to see her until after delivery. Here, during delivery, I was present, even helping the nurses as they encouraged her to dance to quicken the arrival of our angel," Mr Aswani says.

"Just two days after my wife gave birth, when I came, I also got massaged, and I'm enjoying it. They told me I won't be charged, yet you know such services are normally paid for at barber shops."

The ripple effect has been remarkable. Florence Wairimu, a nurse at the Riruta hospital, decided to learn the skills from the community health promoter, hoping that what is happening will inspire other nurses to treat women with the same care.

Ms Wairimu says community members have praised the approach, noting that it not only enhances women's physical appearance but also uplifts their mental well-being.

"Pregnancy is not just a medical condition; it's also an emotional experience. By offering pedicures and manicures, we remind mothers that they are cared for and valued," one of the nurses at the facility explains.

The initiative has attracted health officials from other counties who come to learn. Kisumu County has already started plans to visit for benchmarking so they can introduce the same services there.

An officer who visited asked Ms Nyokabi to travel and train their nurses and community health volunteers. Machakos County also sent one of their nurses, and they had an extensive discussion.

Also Read: Lessons from the grave: The brutal truth about Kenya’s neglected newborn and maternal care

Apart from the hospital's support, Ms Nyokabi says she will continue with the programme into the future.

The hospital administrator, Dr Linet Maari, says they are changing negative perceptions in the community. She explains that there has been an increase in the number of women giving birth, which motivated the county government to add 10 more beds.

"We initially had only 25 beds. By the end of the month, the numbers have risen. In September alone, we recorded more than 100 women who received our services."

The Level 3 hospital now benefits from having three doctors, five clinical officers and 13 nurses posted by the county government, enabling them to attend to patients 24 hours a day.

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