Key Populations Advocacy in Kenya

While providing forward remarks towards the ‘Policy for the Prevention of HIV infections among Key Populations in Kenya’ the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health had this to say “The Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Health (MOH), National AIDS Control Council (NACC) and National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) is committed to championing a multi-sectoral approach in planning, developing and monitoring effective and efficient programmes for key populations that is relevant to our epidemiological context. This commitment is clearly stated in the Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework IV 2014/15 to 2018/19 (KASF IV) launched in December 2014. The KASF IV recognizes the need for a supportive policy framework to support this commitment”.

The policy for Prevention of HIV Infections among Key Populations in Kenya, 2015 is one of the strategic enablers for the HIV response in Kenya. This policy seeks to accelerate rolling out of targeted, timely and evidence-based comprehensive prevention and care services for key populations. It also seeks to fulfill the Government’s obligation of ensuring access to “the highest attainable standards of heath” to its citizens as enshrined in the Constitution.

The Policy defines Key populations as groups who, due to specific higher-risk behaviours, are at increased risk of HIV irrespective of the epidemic type or local context. Also, they often have legal and social issues related to their behaviours that increase their vulnerability to HIV. This policy focuses on three key populations as stated in the Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework: (1) Sex workers (2) Men who have sex with men (2) People who inject drugs. The key populations are important to the dynamics of HIV transmission. They also are essential partners in an effective response to the epidemic states the policy.

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In Kenya, some of the efforts towards realizing the rights of Key Populations to access Sexual Reproductive Health services have been championed by Civil Society actors through strategic partnerships such as Right Here Right Now (RHRN) and Partnership to Inspire, Transform and Connect the HIV Response (PITCH) Programme.

In this video sex workers in Machakos County are advocating for their rights to access Sexual and reproductive health services (SRH). Some pertinent questions to be asked to the Government especially the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Control Council (NACC) and the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) include-To what extent has the Policy been implemented? Are the Key Populations meaningfully engaged in implementing the policy?