Keprecon Engages Religious Leaders to Tackle Low HPV Vaccine Uptake in Northern Kenya

Reporting by James Mutua


Religious leaders from Northern Kenya pose for a group photo during a stakeholder engagement meeting with Keprecon in Nairobi.
 
The Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium (Keprecon), through its Championing Evidence-Based Advocacy (CEBA) project, today convened a pivotal knowledge-sharing forum with religious leaders from
 the Northeastern region. The initiative aims to bolster grassroots advocacy for Primary Health Care (PHC) and Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N), with a key focus on boosting uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Held under the theme "Deepening Local Leadership in Health Advocacy," the forum brought together over 50 religious leaders from Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, and Isiolo counties. Participants included representatives from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), county health officials, civil society actors, and high-profile guests such as the Deputy Governor of Mandera and First Ladies from Wajir and Isiolo counties.

The meeting aimed to equip religious leaders with accurate information about the HPV vaccine and its role in preventing cervical cancer, while also addressing religious and cultural concerns that have hindered acceptance. Organizers sought to empower faith leaders with advocacy tools to implement effective, community-based health campaigns and encourage stronger support for RMNCAH+N policies and funding at the local level.

“Our uptake in Mandera, like in most northern counties, is less than one percent,” said Dr. Abdi Maalim, Director of Medical Services in Mandera County. “Initial rollout efforts failed to involve religious leaders — the real gatekeepers in our communities. Today, we are correcting that.”

Dr. Maalim emphasized that misinformation — particularly the myth that the HPV vaccine is a form of birth control — has significantly undermined vaccination efforts. “This vaccine targets girls aged 9 to 14 to prevent cervical cancer. It has nothing to do with fertility,” he stressed. He also underscored the importance of cervical cancer screening and early diagnosis to avoid late-stage interventions, such as hysterectomies.

Rukia Mohammed, First Lady of Wajir County, echoed these concerns:

“Our people still believe the vaccine is a form of birth control, which has created fear. That’s why this meeting is so important. Religious leaders are trusted voices in the community and can help correct these misconceptions.”

She noted that confusion about the vaccine's age target — girls aged 9 to 14 — was a key barrier, along with limited vaccine supply and budget constraints. By engaging SUPKEM leaders and their vast grassroots networks, she added, the message can now reach even the most remote areas.

Looking ahead, stakeholders plan to amplify their efforts through community radio and other local media, as well as integrating the HPV vaccine into routine immunization schedules. The goal is to normalize the vaccine, improve uptake, and reduce cervical cancer risks for future generations.

Keprecon’s CEBA project has identified inequity and lack of information as major barriers to improving health outcomes in Northern Kenya. This meeting forms part of a broader strategy to empower communities with knowledge and support from trusted local champions.

“We cannot achieve Universal Health Coverage without addressing the real barriers communities face — whether cultural, logistical, or informational,” Keprecon said in a statement. “That’s why we are proud to partner with religious leaders who hold the trust of the people.”

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to continuous engagement and collaboration with local leaders to promote sustainable, community-driven health interventions.

Northern Kenya continues to face unique healthcare challenges. Vaccination rates and health service access remain significantly lower than in other parts of the country — due in part to a sparse distribution of health facilities and the nomadic lifestyle of its predominantly pastoralist population, who move frequently in search of water and pasture for their livestock.

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