RELIGIOUS LEADERS JOIN FORCES WITH KEPRECON TO BOOST HPV VACCINE AWARENESS IN NORTHEASTERN KENYA.
BY NJOKI KARANJA.
Garissa, Kenya – July 21, 2025
In a groundbreaking effort to bridge health gaps and dispel myths around the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium (Keprecon), through its Championing Evidence-Based Advocacy (CEBA) project, convened a high-level knowledge sharing meeting today with religious leaders from the Northeastern region.
The convening brought together key religious figures, healthcare stakeholders, and regional leaders—including the Deputy Governor of Mandera and the First Ladies of Wajir and Isiolo counties—aiming to equip religious leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to champion Primary Health Care (PHC) and Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) in their communities.
At the center of the day-long forum was a strong focus on the HPV vaccine, a vital preventive measure against cervical cancer. The initiative seeks to tackle low vaccination rates in the region, which have been attributed to misinformation, cultural concerns, and lack of equitable access to health information.
"This engagement is more than a meeting—it's a transformative step toward saving lives," said a Keprecon representative. “Religious leaders hold immense influence within their communities, and empowering them with facts, tools, and advocacy strategies will significantly shift the tide in vaccine acceptance and overall health outcomes.”
The meeting had four core objectives:
1. Raising awareness about the life-saving role of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer;
2. Clarifying cultural and religious misconceptions that have fueled skepticism and resistance;
3. Strengthening the voice and role of religious leaders as trusted health advocates;
4. Promoting policy acceptance and sustainable local financing for RMNCAH+N initiatives.
Participants included representatives from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), county health department officials, and grassroots faith-based leaders. All echoed the call for continued collaboration and localized messaging that respects cultural values while championing evidence-based health solutions.
Keprecon emphasized that gaps in health equity and knowledge remain significant barriers to improved maternal and child health in Northeastern Kenya. Through the CEBA project, the consortium aims to shift this narrative by ensuring that information flows from informed stakeholders to influential community figures who can drive action.
"Today's gathering marks the beginning of a movement—one where faith and science walk hand in hand for the betterment of our communities," noted one participating religious leader. “We now have a clearer responsibility to speak boldly about HPV and other critical health issues.”
As the initiative unfolds, Keprecon and its partners hope that this collaboration will lead not only to increased HPV vaccine uptake but also to stronger community ownership of broader maternal and child health agendas across the region.
