Kwale County, Kenya – April 15, 2025
The Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN), in collaboration with Teens Watch, recently hosted a High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on harm reduction in Kwale County. The meeting brought together key stakeholders to address the critical health risks faced by people who inject drugs (PWID) in Kenya and the need for increased funding to fund harm reduction interventions.
Harm reduction in Kenya focuses on minimizing the negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with drug use. This approach is particularly crucial for PWID, a key population at high risk for HIV and other health issues. HIV prevalence among PWID in Kenya is significantly higher than the general population, with estimates ranging from 18% to 50%. Since the introduction of needle and syringe programs in 2012, over 21,000 PWID have been reached, and Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) services are provided to over 9,500 clients across multiple healthcare facilities. Other harm reduction interventions include HIV testing services; targeted information, education, and communication for PWID and their sexual partners; condom provision; prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections; prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TB; prevention, vaccination, diagnosis, and treatment for viral hepatitis; antiretroviral therapy and community outreach
. Meeting participants included political leaders from the Kwale County assembly, Officer Commanding Station from Kwale County (OCS) and other law enforcement officers from Kwale County, County Director for Health in Kwale, National AIDS and STIs Control Program (NASCOP), County AIDS and STIs Coordinator (CASCO) Religious Leaders, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug use (NACADA), Representative of the County Commissioner, civil society organizations (CSOs) from the region, representatives from county health management team and healthcare facilities focusing on harm reduction, among other stakeholders
Key discussions at the meeting included the impact of recent USAID and PEPFAR funding cuts, which have led to the closure or reduction of services in 28 clinics across the country, increasing the vulnerability of PWID. The meeting also highlighted the collaborative efforts of KELIN and Harm Reduction International (HRI) in advocating for ethical issues in HIV and AIDS, and their focus on creating a conducive environment for harm reduction funding.
The County Director for Health, Kwale County Dr Hajira spoke on the importance of harm reduction as a preventive measure for HIV and shared more on what they have been up to within Kwale County. NASCOP and CASCO, present at the meeting emphasized on the sustainability and integration of all stakeholders in ensuring that budget allocation for harm reduction programs is prioritized. John Mbau spoke on the importance of multistakeholder engagements that contribute to the greater objective on increasing funds on harm reduction.
Civil society representatives emphasized the importance of the meeting: One said, “The goal is to strengthen advocacy capacity for increasing domestic harm reduction funding and to build strategic national and provincial coalitions for budget advocacy. We need to work with the existing policies instead of wanting to come up with new ones as long as long as the goal aligns to support, and the participation of all stakeholders are crucial in creating sustainable health solutions for PWID in Kenya.”
The OCS from Kwale county also assured the present stakeholders that they will protect the rights of the PWIDs and ensure that they are able to access the necessary healthcare services without police harassment on their transit!
The present members of the county assembly in unison emphasised on the need for policy changes within the county that can be implemented to make the advocacy for budget allocation within the parliament easier and more practical.
The meeting a highlighted the significance of increased funding, aiming to equip stakeholders with the necessary information and tools to advocate for harm reduction in Kenya.
KELIN remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing harm reduction initiative on budget allocation. We recognize the importance of these efforts in improving health outcomes and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable populations and as we move forward, we will continue to collaborate with partners, advocating for policy changes, and implement evidence-based strategies to ensure sustainable impact.
To contribute to the discussion, follow KELIN on our social media platforms.
Twitter: KELIN Kenya
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For more information, please contact.
Olendo Obondo – olendoobondo@kelinkenya.org
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
Kuwinda Lane, Karen C, off Langáta Road
