Network of TB Champions Kenya and KELIN Convene Stakeholders to Integrate WHO Civil Society Engagement Indicators into National Data Systems
Nairobi, Kenya — The Network of TB Champions Kenya, hosted by KELIN under the COMBAT DR-TB Project, today convened a specialized Community Engagement (COE) meeting at Afya Annex to address key data gaps in Kenya’s National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP). While the World Health Organization’s (WHO) End TB Strategy and 2023 Guidance emphasize the critical role of civil society and community organizations in fighting TB, these contributions are not yet systematically captured in Kenya’s routine national health data. Today’s convening marks a major step forward in establishing a formal mechanism to advocate for the routine adoption and integration of WHO Civil Society Engagement Indicators. The half-day session brought together a multi-sectoral group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, the National Tuberculosis Programme, county TB coordinators, civil society organizations, technical partners, and individuals directly affected by TB. During the meeting, participants evaluated current data collection entry points, formally established the Community Engagement (COE) structure, and drafted initial Terms of Reference (ToR) and leadership frameworks. Additionally, attendees mapped out an actionable advocacy roadmap aimed at ensuring community-led efforts are formally measured and recognized within national monitoring systems. Through coordinated governance and targeted advocacy, this initiative aims to create a more accurate, inclusive, and responsive TB data ecosystem in Kenya.
Stop TB Partnership Kenya Harnesses Multisectoral Power within the Transport Sector
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s most formidable public health challenges, disproportionately affecting populations characterized by high mobility, limited healthcare access, and constant exposure to crowded settings. Acknowledging that traditional health infrastructure alone cannot eliminate the disease, Stop TB Partnership Kenya last week launched a targeted advocacy campaign within the transport sector under the USAID-funded Tamatisha TB Activity. The transport sector spanning road, rail, air, and maritime logistics functions as a vital socioeconomic artery, yet its workforce remains fundamentally underutilized in national health responses. Understanding the Vulnerabilities of Mobility Transport personnel, particularly long-distance drivers, conductors, operators, and logistics staff, routinely navigate harsh occupational landscapes. Their work demands prolonged travel times away from family and stable healthcare setups, shifts in irregular environments with poor ventilation, and high-stress schedules. Consequently, these structural barriers often result in deferred health-seeking behavior and low participation in routine health screening. Through the Tamatisha TB Activity, Stop TB Partnership Kenya went directly to key transport corridors to dismantle these barriers. The intervention provided customized health sensitization aimed at closing the loop between exposure, symptom recognition, and prompt clinical care. The Strategy: Building a Multisectoral Ecosystem By integrating transport stakeholders into national and regional multisectoral TB platforms, the campaign addresses the missing links in community active case-finding. Peer-led advocacy sessions focused on critical operational strategies: Driving the Agenda Forward To fully optimize the transport sector’s role in the national TB response, ongoing efforts will focus on cultivating structured partnerships with transport associations, SACCOs, and regional logistics hubs. When we equip the people who move our nations with the tools to fight infectious diseases, we don’t just protect an industry—we safeguard the health of entire populations on the move. Because ending TB is a collective journey. Let us drive the cure together.
Communities in Machakos Unite to Strengthen Fight Against Drug-Resistant TB
Communities in Machakos Unite to Strengthen Fight Against Drug-Resistant TB.
Kenya Reviews Progress in the Fight Against TB, Leprosy, and Lung Diseases During National Mid-Term Review
Following the successful completion of intensive data collection and county-level field engagements, the Ministry of Health, through the Division of Tuberculosis and Other Lung Diseases (DTLD), alongside key implementing partners, convened from 18th to 21st May 2026 for the National Strategic Plan Mid-Term Review (MTR) Data Consolidation Workshop. The workshop served to consolidate crucial field findings and disseminate preliminary outcomes ahead of the formal Ministry of Health leadership debrief held on May 21st, 2026. The ongoing review provides a vital checkpoint for the remaining implementation period of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023/24–2027/28, ensuring Kenya’s respiratory health interventions remain robust, evidence-backed, and responsive to community needs. Encouraging Progress Across Counties Multidisciplinary teams recently conducted extensive field assessments across seven pilot counties—including Kisumu, Embu, Makueni, Murang’a, Trans Nzoia, Narok, Kwale, and Nairobi. The consolidated data highlighted remarkable strides in several key areas: Moving Beyond Reporting to True Inclusion A core focus of the dissemination sessions was the emphasis on creating more inclusive health systems. Speaking during the review discussions, Dr. Immaculate Kathure, Head of Program at DTLD, underscored that the Mid-Term Review is a collective reflection rather than a simple reporting mandate. “There is a need to improve perceptions of inclusion, ensuring that people feel seen, heard, accommodated, and meaningfully involved in decisions and program conversations. This work is not being developed for the Ministry or any external audience alone, but as a collective effort that will guide the next planning cycle. The teams involved will own these recommendations because they are the ones responsible for implementing them.” — Dr. Immaculate Kathure, Head of Program, DTLD Dr. Kathure reaffirmed the program’s commitment to maintaining an upward trajectory in performance while expressing deep appreciation for the community teams whose dedication fuels these county-level gains. Shifting Toward a Comprehensive Lung Health Agenda The consolidation workshop highlighted an evolutionary shift in Kenya’s healthcare strategy: moving away from strictly vertical disease programming toward an integrated lung health approach. Presenting during the meeting, Dr. Nkirote Mugambi-Nyaboga from the Centre for Health Solutions – Kenya (CHS-Kenya) highlighted how the landscape is changing to address the full spectrum of respiratory illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and post-TB lung disease. “Lung health is increasingly being prioritized within Kenya’s broader respiratory health agenda. We are seeing a strong shift towards integrated, people-centred approaches that leverage existing TB platforms to build a more responsive and comprehensive lung health system capable of addressing the full spectrum of respiratory diseases.” — Dr. Nkirote Mugambi-Nyaboga, CHS-Kenya Strategic Direction and Next Steps The closing sessions of the workshop were honored by the active participation and guidance of key leadership figures, including Board Chair Michael Macharia and National Coordinator Stephen Anguva. Their presence reinforced the shared organizational resolve to transform raw field data into actionable public health policy. The final outputs of this Mid-Term Review will directly refine resource allocation, target interventions, and shape future policy frameworks aimed at accelerating progress toward eliminating TB, managing leprosy, and ensuring rights-based, person-centered respiratory care across Kenya. The National Strategic Plan Mid-Term Review is supported by a collaborative network of partners including the Ministry of Health, the United States Government, CDC, WHO Kenya, Amref Health Africa, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Centre for Health Solutions (CHS) Kenya, RESOK, KELIN, Stop TB Kenya, and various Networks of TB Champions.
NTBC-K Champions Domestic Health Financing: Submission of Memorandum for FY 2026/27 National Budget
The Network of TB Champions Kenya (NTBC-K) has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to influence national health policy. On May 14, 2026, our leadership officially submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the Budget and Appropriations Committee regarding the FY 2026/27 National Budget. The Core of Our Advocacy As a community-led organization, NTBC-K represents the voices of those directly impacted by Tuberculosis. Our submission highlights a critical crossroads for Kenya: while we celebrate our nation’s role as both a donor and implementer for The Global Fund, we recognize the immense pressure that debt servicing and a constrained fiscal space place on our local health systems. Key Recommendations In our memo, we called on the government to: Prioritize Domestic Resource Mobilization: Ensuring that critical health programs specifically TB, HIV, and Malaria are shielded from budget cuts. Deepen Health Systems Integration: Moving toward a resilient, people-centered health system that goes beyond disease-specific approaches. Protect the Gains of UHC: Safeguarding the progress made in Universal Health Coverage by ensuring consistent and predictable funding. Meaningful Participation Participating in the budget-making process at both the national and county levels is a core pillar of our strategy. By engaging directly with the Budget and Appropriations Committee, NTBC-K ensures that the TB Champions are not just observers, but active participants in shaping the fiscal future of health in Kenya. A Word of Gratitude We extend our thanks to our members and partners for their input in finalizing this memorandum. This document represents the collective will of a community dedicated to a TB-free Kenya. “Kenya’s dual role as both a Global Fund donor and implementer presents a strategic opportunity to maximize value for money and prioritize high-impact investments that build a sustainable health system.” — Excerpt from the NTBC-K Memorandum. Stay Informed: To follow our progress during the budget cycle and other advocacy efforts, follow us on our social media platforms or join our official WhatsApp Channel for real-time updates.
TB Champions Join the GC8 Writing Process: Elevating Community Voices in Kenya’s National TB Response
TB Champions Join the GC8 Writing Process: Elevating Community Voices in Kenya’s National TB Response
