The Political Situation in Kenya and Its Impact

The political conflict and ethnic violence that followed Kenya’s presidential election in December 2007 caused at least 1,000 deaths and left the country economically and socially devastated. At the end of February, Kenya’s president, Mwai Kibaki, and the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, signed a power-sharing agreement intended to put an end to the conflict. Peace has ensued, though the country is still counting its losses.

EngenderHealth’s work in Kenya is focused in Nyanza, one of the provinces most affected by the violence. EngenderHealth leads the APHIA II Nyanza Project, which aims to expand services for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, to increase access to family planning, and to improve reproductive, maternal, and child health. Activities under the project have now fully resumed, and EngenderHealth’s Kenya country director, Feddis Mumba, recently toured local health facilities to assess their condition. With many Kenyans uprooted due to the conflict, the main issue for most of these facilities is an acute staff shortage. “It is possible that staff will come back, but it will take time,” said Ms. Mumba. APHIA II Nyanza is working with local government officials to recruit nurses and other health professionals to carry project activities forward.

Additionally, work to engage men in the uniformed services through EngenderHealth’s Men As Partners® (MAP) program was delayed because these men, who are in the military and law enforcement, were called to duty during the crisis. The MAP activities are now underway. While many health programs have been disturbed nationwide, Ms. Mumba reports a general sense of optimism among Kenyans. “People are hopeful. Everybody’s looking forward to the outcome,” she noted.