Cash for birth to boost population

An MP is giving women in his constituency an incentive to get pregnant and give birth.

Every woman who gives birth over the next one year in Nithi constituency will be assured of Sh5,000.

They will also receive a pack of diapers in a move aimed at boosting the population of the area.

Mr Kareke Mbiuki, the area MP, said population in the area was dwindling, adding that urgent measures were necessary to encourage fertility.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the opening of the first public maternity wing at Kareke Memorial Dispensary in Maara District, Mr Mbiuki said he wanted to motivate married people to engage in child-bearing while still youthful.

Eight mothers

During the function, eight mothers who were the first to deliver at the hospital were awarded Sh5,000 each, and given a baby gift hamper. They also had their hospital fees settled.

Mr Mbiuki said many people shunned giving birth due to the long distances they travelled to find a maternity.

“We have been taking our women to private hospitals far away since we did not have a public hospital with a maternity wing. Some were going as far as Chaaria and neighbouring Mbeere District. We want them to be served here,” he said.

Mr Mbiuki’s family and the local CDF kitty funded the construction of the hospital with a capacity of 40 beds at a cost of about Sh10 million.

Holy Trinity Kariakomo Catholic Church priest Fr Jason Micheni said the maternity was a major relief to area residents who faced difficulties during childbirth.

“It is a cause for joy to see these children born here. We also thank the MP for his gesture and show of mercy and compassion. He had targeted five, but we are very lucky to have received these eight babies among us,” the priest said.

Mr Mbiuki said he took the decision to start paying for births after fearing that the trend in the neighbouring Central Province could spill over to Meru.

“We have large hospitals built in Nyeri where the maternity wings are rarely visited. I don’t want that to happen here,” he said.

The youthful MP who already has three children below 10 years, caused laughter when he introduced his wife Janice Gatwiri and said she was expectant.

“You can see I’m also trying. I’m expecting my fourth child, and we have set the target at seven. You can see my wife,” he told the amused residents.

Mr Mbiuki at the same time said the population increase would boost the Meru region’s chance of dictating politics.

He said illicit brews and hard economic times were also hindering men from performing their matrimonial obligation of child-bearing.

He said he would seek the presidency in 2027 and would want to have enough numbers to back him from his home turf.

“By 2027, the children would be able to vote for me as President,” Mr Mbiuki declared.

Maara district commissioner Michael Tialal and Meru South Knut branch executive secretary Njeru Mutani said the decrease in population could be as a result of a successful family planning campaign.

“What the MP is saying is true. The child population is not increasing the way it used to. People have really embraced family planning,” Mr Mutani said.

He said some schools across the constituency had lower enrolment especially the lower classes.

Mr Tialal, however, said he did not have the data to reflect the actual decline in school enrolment.

He said many people could also be opting to have fewer children due to hard economic times.

“To some extent it could be true. With these hard economic times and success in the family planning campaign, people may avoid getting many children,” Mr Tialal told the Nation by telephone.