New IPPF Africa Regional Director reaffirms commitment to stronger SRHR advocacy and partnerships in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Claudia Shilumani, the new IPPF Africa Regional Director has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federation in stewarding the sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) ecosystem in Kenya and the wider Africa Region.

She made the remarks on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, during her visit to Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) -IPPF’s Member Association (MA) in Kenya. The visit marked her first in-person engagement with an IPPF MA since assuming office in March 2026.

Dr. Shilumani used the opportunity to gain a broader practical understanding of how MAs operate on the ground, while engaging with the governance and leadership teams, staff, youth, and partners. The visit offered valuable insights into RHNK’s reputable work in advancing SRHR in Kenya, and the critical role that IPPF continues to play in supporting these efforts.

At RHNK, she was received by the organization’s Executive Director Ms. Nelly Munyasia, Board Chair Mr. John Daluma, Board Member Ms. Evelyne Opondo, and Youth representative Mr. Simon Kiambati, among others. Ms. Mallah Tabot, the SRHR Lead at IPPF Africa Regional Office accompanied her for the visit.

Describing the engagement as part of her desire to listen and learn from MAs, Dr. Shilumani commended RHNK’s leadership in addressing Kenya’s SRHR needs and their work with young people who are central to IPPF’s mission.

“The future of our continent depends on youth. It is therefore important that we take deliberate action to ensure they thrive. Their sexual and reproductive health is fundamental to their well-being and productivity, and I am impressed by the work RHNK is doing to support Kenyan youth,” she said.

Showcasing RHNK’s influence in SRHR

Founded in 2010, RHNK has established itself as a leading SRHR champion in Kenya. With a network of over 500 service providers operating across the country, RHNK delivers comprehensive SRHR services including abortion care, and prioritizes advocacy for policy reforms, equitable access, and the realization of rights for all.

During the visit, RHNK showcased its work with adolescent and youth programming, maternal health care, capacity building, research and innovation, as well as movement building. The Regional Director also learned about RHNK’s interventions that support teenage girls, young mothers, members of the LGBTQ community, rural populations and other vulnerable groups.

Growth through IPPF’s partnership

Since joining IPPF as an Associate Member in 2022, RHNK has witnessed significant growth.

“We have benefitted immensely from IPPF’s support. This has been through commodity acquisition, capacity building, and expanded networks at local, regional and global levels. With IPPF’s financial and technical assistance, we have strengthened service delivery at our static health facilities, and scaled up outreach activities such as mobile clinics, peer education activities and humanitarian interventions during times of crisis. This has enabled us to reach more people, including those in hard-to-reach areas,” said Ms. Munyasia.

The results have been remarkable.

“In 2021, RHNK served about 215,000 people. By 2025, that number had grown to over 4.5million people, many of them youth. This growth is largely attributed to our partnership with IPPF, which remains our great pillar of support,” said Dr. Edison Omollo, RHNK’s Program Director.

Site visit to REHNET medical center

As part of the visit, the Regional Director toured RHNK’s youth-friendly facility -the REHNET medical center at Kwa Ndege, Embakasi, which is a peri-urban settlement area. There, she witnessed, first-hand, how clients, including young mothers, access reproductive health services in a safe and supportive environment.

The REHNET medical center serves youth from the surrounding informal dwellings. It provides a safe and inclusive space for adolescent mothers, youth, LGBTQ individuals and sex workers, where they access quality SRHR delivered by trained health professionals. The center also supports them to have conversations that promote their mental well-being.  

At the facility, Dr. Shilumani was introduced to the pharmacy, a social enterprise run by RHNK that helps young people access SRHR commodities at an affordable, subsidized fee.

‘Nena na Binti’ for digital health

The Regional Director also explored RHNK’s digital outreach efforts through the Nena na Binti call center, a toll-free hotline providing confidential, non-judgemental SRHR information, counselling and referrals to girls, women, and even young men from across the country.

According to Ms. Nancy Lynne Okutoyi, the call center coordinator, the platform receives an average of 40 calls daily, with numbers rising during school holidays.

“During school breaks, young people reconnect, and many seek information on condoms, contraceptives, HIV testing and sexually transmitted infections. We also receive gender-based violence related calls,” she said.

Because of RHNK’s network of accredited service providers across Kenya, callers from any part of the country are seamlessly referred to nearby health facilities for further care and support.

“Indeed, RHNK is a leading example of youth-friendly, inclusive and transformative SRHR service delivery,” noted the Regional Director.

Strengthening partnerships for greater impact  

Dr. Shilumani’s visit concluded with a high-level engagement with RHNK’s key partners. Together, they discussed opportunities to strengthen collaboration and SRHR programming in Kenya and beyond.  

The partners included Ms. Lucy Kimondo, the Ag. Director General of the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), Prof. Joachim Osur -Vice Chancellor of Amref International University, Ms. Elsy Sainna from Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), Dr. Walter Obita -Country Director of MSI Reproductive Choices Kenya, and Dr. Musoba Kitui from Ipas Africa Alliance.

Other partner organizations included Pathways Policy Institute, International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) led by Evelyne Opondo, the Center for the Study of Adolescence (CSA), and Youth Voices and Action Initiative (YVAI).

During the discussions, Dr. Shilumani acknowledged the increasingly challenging environment that many NGOs are currently operating in.

“Our work is under threat from growing anti-rights movements, which risk reversing the gains we have made over the years. Shrinking donor funds and biased funding conditions are also threatening our work,” she noted. “However, we are not discouraged as these challenges have only strengthened our resolve. We will not relent in fighting for the sexual reproductive rights and freedoms for all people.”

RHNK’s partners emphasized the need for more strategic engagement with political actors for enhanced success.

“We must intentionally include political leaders in our SRHR conversations. While cultural and legal advocacy remains important, political actors are also key decision-makers. Strengthening our engagement with them will help us advance in our cause,” said Ms. Sainna from CRR.

Dr. Shilumani ended with IPPF’s firm commitment to supporting RHNK and its partners in amplifying African leadership and centering African voices in global spaces.

“We must build a strong Africa-led SRHR movement. This is the time to organize, strategize and strengthen our coalitions. We must leverage our collective voices that will counter harmful SRHR narratives and enable us to continue serving those who matter most to us -Africa’s girls, women, youth, men and communities.”