On July 20, 2016, six Kenyan political leaders shared their commitment at the Advance Family Planning (AFP) Partners Meeting in Nairobi. The champions have helped to increase allocations and improve policy for family planning in the counties of Kitui, Kwale, Makueni, and Tharaka Nithi.
The advocates in attendance were reminded why family planning champions matter – they inspire their communities and other leaders, ensuring high-level investment and results. The champions also reignited the advocates’ energy. The Governor of Makueni County addressed the approximately one hundred advocates in the room: “We must figure out how to sustain your advocacy into action even after a governors’ two terms - or God forbid, one term - so our [efforts] are not stillborn.”
The work of the Governors, First Ladies, and many others has led to compelling results. By 2015, Kenya surpassed its 2012 commitment and National Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan goal to increase contraceptive prevalence rate to 56%. Kenya is now on target to achieve a 70% contraceptive prevalence rate by 2030. At the AFP Partners Meeting, the First Lady of Kitui County stated, “As the statistics change, our country changes for the better.”
Advance Family Planning partners met in Nairobi from July 19 – July 22 at the Boma Hotel to discuss how to continue forward momentum and meet such challenges. The initiative is about to embark on its fifth project year with an $18 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to supplement advocacy at all levels of government in its ten focus countries.
County champions for family planning in Kenya speak at the AFP Partners Meeting in Nairobi.
From left to right: H.E. Kivutha Kibwana – Governor of Makueni County; H.E. Nazi Mwambura Kithutha – First Lady of Makueni County; H.E. Madam Lucy Ragwa – First Lady of Tharaka Nithi County; H.E. Christine Mvurya – First Lady of Kwale County; H.E. Edith Malombe – First Lady of Kitui County; H.E. Julius Malombe – Governor of Kitui County.