Kenya has taken a bold step in bridging the gap between science and faith in public health through a powerful collaboration led by the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium.
Through its Championing Evidence-Based Advocacy initiative, the organization held a transformative knowledge-sharing session with religious leaders from the Northeastern region to drive uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and improve maternal health advocacy.
Held in Mandera on July 21, 2025, the meeting brought together religious leaders from Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, and Garissa, alongside key county officials, deputy governors, and the First Ladies of Wajir and Isiolo counties. The forum focused on addressing persistent health inequities in Primary Health Care and Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition services in the region.
Professor Fredrick Were, CEO of Keprecon, underscored the objective of the meeting as empowering community influencers to champion evidence-based interventions. “Faith leaders are trusted voices. By equipping them with the right knowledge, we transform them into agents of positive change in the healthcare landscape,” he said.
With HPV vaccine uptake still low in many counties, the session aimed to demystify the science behind the vaccine, address cultural and religious concerns, and position religious leaders as allies in safeguarding the future of young girls and women. The leaders were trained on how to engage communities, counter misinformation, and advocate for domestic health funding and policy reforms that prioritize maternal and child health.
The CEBA initiative has identified widespread myths, limited access to accurate information, and cultural reservations as critical bottlenecks in the uptake of lifesaving vaccines and maternal health services. By engaging faith-based leaders, who hold significant sway in shaping community perceptions, Keprecon hopes to drive a shift in health behaviors and promote policy acceptance across counties.
The religious leaders committed to using their platforms to promote awareness and acceptance of the HPV vaccine, calling for sustained collaboration between civil society, health institutions, and government agencies to close the immunization gap.
This knowledge-sharing forum not only signals Kenya’s commitment to inclusive, community-centered healthcare but also reaffirms that sustainable health transformation can only be achieved when science walks hand in hand with culture, faith, and leadership at all levels.
