By PPH Foundation
More than 15,000 people gathered at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Sunday, 27 September 2026, turning the 3rd International End Postpartum Haemorrhage, PPH, Run into a powerful public statement on the need to prevent maternal deaths from excessive bleeding after childbirth. The Run was held simultaneously across Nairobi and 25 other counties in Kenya, with solidarity activities extending to several African countries and cities across the world.
Participants included health workers, students, universities, hospitals, schools, Kenya Medical Training College, organisations, Scouts and Girl Guides associations, development partners and members of the public. Dignitaries and representatives from the Ministry of Health and partner organisations also joined the mobilisation.
Beyond Kenya, the Run became increasingly global, with participation and signature runs reported across Africa and in cities including Seattle, Copenhagen, Boston and Guangzhou. EndPPH communications reported participation from 13 African countries, underlining the growing international attention around PPH.
For Prof Moses Obimbo, Project Lead of the EndPPH Initiative, the Run was about taking maternal health advocacy beyond hospitals and into communities.
“Maternal health and women's health is not just tied in the wards, it is tied to the community,” Prof Obimbo said, emphasizing that communities lose much when a mother dies. He said the campaign was also about ensuring lifesaving blood is available when a mother experiences severe bleeding.
The blood message was central to this year’s Run through the ROAMING Blood Initiative. Prof Julius Ogeng’o, an EndPPH Initiative co-lead and champion of the blood mobilisation programme, has described its philosophy simply: “You go to where the people are. You engage them, you build trust, and you build a network.”
Dr Kireki Omanwa, President of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society and a co-lead of the EndPPH Initiative, has also emphasised the importance of women seeking appropriate maternal healthcare and being monitored throughout pregnancy, noting that even apparently normal pregnancies require attention to detect complications early.
Prof Anne-Beatrice Kihara brought another dimension to the campaign, calling for greater attention to women’s health before pregnancy. “Individual and emergency preparedness becomes critical,” she said, while emphasizing preconception care, antenatal care, anaemia prevention and preparedness for emergencies.
Dr Edward Serem, Head of Reproductive Health at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of addressing delays in referrals and knowledge gaps, noting that many maternal deaths occur within health facilities. He said the Government is implementing measures under the Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere, EWENE, initiative, including strengthening the health workforce, infrastructure, antenatal care and blood availability.
The Run therefore carried a message that went beyond the finish line. It connected awareness, blood donation, preparedness, health-system strengthening and community action around one of Kenya’s most urgent maternal health challenges.
As thousands took their steps in Nairobi, across Kenya, Africa and other parts of the world, the Run demonstrated the growing reach of the EndPPH movement and the importance of keeping PPH visible in public conversations. The challenge now is to sustain that momentum through continued blood donation, education, skilled care, innovation and timely intervention.