STATE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL SERVICES

DIVISION OF RMNCAH

NATIONAL ADOLESCENT HEALTH STRATEGIC PLAN

2025- 2030
FOREWORD
The National Adolescent Health Strategic Framework is a comprehensive document

developed under the Division of Adolescent and School Health stewardship in the

Ministry of Health, Kenya. It was developed through a participatory process involving

various stakeholders, including adolescents, departments within the Ministry of Health,

other line ministries, non-governmental organizations, professional associations,

academia, and development partners.

Investing in the health of adolescents is essential for harnessing Kenya's demographic

dividend and can bring about a "triple dividend." Firstly, it improves the current health

status of adolescents, which translates to better productivity and reduced healthcare

costs. Secondly, it contributes to better health outcomes for them throughout their lives.

Finally, it benefits future generations by breaking the cycle of poor health outcomes.

Healthy adolescents are crucial to economic growth as they contribute to productivity

and lower healthcare costs. Investing in their health can result in significant returns, with

an estimated ten-fold increase in health, social, and economic benefits for every dollar

spent. By prioritising adolescent health, policymakers can improve the overall health of

a population and lay the foundation for a healthier future. Investing in education,

healthcare services, and nutrition programs can help ensure adolescents have the

resources and support they need to thrive. This benefits adolescents and has a ripple

effect on their families, communities, and future generations.

The strategic framework aims at reducing risks and promoting the health of adolescents,

helping them establish health-seeking behaviours and addressing health-related issues

that could affect their growth and productivity into adulthood. The National Adolescent

Health Strategic Framework recognizes the need to develop health systems' capacity

to address adolescents' specific needs. It emphasises the importance of involving

adolescents in developing and implementing policies and programs that affect their
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health. It calls for legal and policy frameworks to be in place to support adolescents'

access to and use of healthcare. With the government's commitment to adolescent

health and the implementation of this strategic framework, Kenya is on its way to

improving the health and well-being of its adolescent population. The strategic

framework provides service providers and stakeholders with a multi-sectoral framework

for delivering services to adolescents and indicators to measure achievement.

Implementation will be actualized through a costed implementation plan and a

monitoring and evaluation framework. County governments will be supported to

develop customized plans to address specific challenges they face in delivering

comprehensive adolescent health services in their respective counties based on their

epidemiological profiles. By targeting this population, Kenya will benefit adolescents,

their future children, and the nation.

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PREFACE
Kenya has made significant strides toward improving its adolescents' health,

development, and well-being, recognizing that this phase of life lays the foundation for

healthy and productive adulthood. Adolescents in Kenya face various health risks,

including disease, poor nutrition, lack of access to healthcare, and social and cultural

factors that can impact their well-being. To address these challenges, the Government

of Kenya has prioritized adolescents as a critical population and developed the

National Adolescent Health Strategic Framework, following the development of the

National Adolescent Health Policy, as a demonstration of its commitment. This strategic

framework includes a range of strategic directions to promote adolescents' health and

well-being.

With seven years left to fast-track interventions toward achieving the United Nations

Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy

for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescent Health, the National Adolescent Health

Strategic Framework aims at guiding the country towards the actualization of these

goals. With its focus on education, prevention, and community involvement, the

strategic framework represents a significant step forward in promoting the health and

well-being of Kenya’s adolescents.

The Kenyan government recognizes the gaps in promoting adolescent health despite

significant progress made in the recent past. These gaps include overemphasizing

curative rather than preventive health promotion interventions and limited integration

of the various thematic issues affecting adolescents in Kenya. The National Adolescent

Health Strategic Framework is a significant step towards addressing these gaps and

promoting holistic adolescent health in the country.

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

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KEY CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGIES
Adolescent - A person aged 10-19 years, and the grouping includes children (persons

below 18 years of age and young adults aged 18 and 19 years.

Adolescent Psycho-social Development – Refers to the search for identity and

answering the question of “Who am I?” that occurs between childhood and adulthood.

Adolescents seek to accomplish the following four tasks on the road to becoming a

well-adjusted adult: 1) independence, 2) body image, 3) peer relations, and 4) identity.

Adolescent Rights –refers to an adolescent's right to quality, appropriate prevention,

treatment, and care. It also includes the right to treatment and services free of

discrimination and without regard for the race, colour, sex, language, religion, political

or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status

of the adolescent or his or her parents or guardians. Care should be considerate,

respectful, and non-judgmental, and should respect the adolescents’ privacy during

consultations, examinations, and treatment.

Adolescent responsive services:

Adolescent health centers of excellence:

Communicable Diseases: is defined as a disease transmissible from person to person by

direct contact with an infected individual or indirect contact with the individuals’ bodily

fluids.

Community Health Worker: any health worker who performs functions related to health

care service delivery in the community. Community health workers have not received

formal education but are trained in the interventions and activities in which they are

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involved. They are typically members of the communities where they work, are selected

by the community; accountable to the communities they serve and are supported by

the health system.

Confidentiality – involves the right of an individual to privacy of personal information,

including health records. The requirement to maintain confidentiality governs not only

how data and information are collected (e.g., a private space in which to conduct a

consultation), but also how the data are stored (e.g., without names and other

identifiers and/or kept in a locked cabinet) and how the data are shared, if at all. This

means that access to personal data and information is restricted to individuals who

have a need to know and who have been granted permission by the client for such

access.

Consent – refers to the ability to agree to receive treatment and health services. It also

implies the ability to refuse treatment. The age of consent in Kenya is age 18.

Core Competency - A competency is a skill set in a particular sector (e.g., health,

education) which is essential for a person to perform required functions and tasks. Core,

or essential, competencies are the aspects of a subject or discipline that are common

to all students, essential to practice, and essential to master to graduate from an

academic program and enter professional practice. In the context of the guidelines, it

refers to the set of skills required by a health provider to provide youth friendly services

to adolescent clients.

eHealth (or e-health) - is the practice of healthcare supported by electronic and/or

digital communication processes. This includes healthcare practice using the Internet.

Gatekeeper(s) – are adults, such as parents and/or other family members, legal

guardians, teachers, and community leaders, who have influence over adolescents'

access to and use of services.

Gender – refers to the socially defined roles and responsibilities of men and women.

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Gender-based Violence - refers to violence that targets individuals based on their

gender. This includes acts that inflict physical, sexual, mental, psychological, emotional,

and economic harm, and includes harmful cultural practices.

Gender Equality – refers to equality between men and women. This does not mean that

women and men must become the same, but that their rights, responsibilities, and

opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female. It also refers to

equality in laws and policies, and in access to resources and services within families,

communities, and society at large.

Gender Equity – means fairness of treatment for women and men, according to their

needs, without regard for gender. This may include equal treatment or treatment that is

different but that is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations, and

opportunities.

Health Literacy – refers to the cognitive ability of an adolescent to gain access to,

understand and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health.

Health Provider – is an individual trained to deliver preventive, curative, promotional or

rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to people, families, or

communities. These services may be provided in a hospital, clinic, school, or community

setting.

Harmful cultural practices: ....................

Informed Choice – refers to a choice made by an adolescent regarding elements of his

or her care (e.g., treatment options, follow-up options, refusal of service for care) based

on having adequate, appropriate, and clear information as to the nature, risks, or

alternatives to medical procedures or treatment, and the implications for the

adolescents’ health or other aspects of the adolescents’ life.

Legal framework: ...................................

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m-Health (or m/health) – refers to the practice of providing health care using mobile

phones.

Minimum Package of Services – is the minimum type and range of services a client

should expect to receive at each point of service.

Non-Communicable Diseases – a medical condition or disease that is not caused by

infectious agents. These are often chronic diseases which last for long periods of time

and progress slowly and are the leading cause of death globally.

Social risks: ...........

Policy: .............................

Standard – a defined level of quality established to meet the needs of intended

beneficiaries. A standard defines implementation processes, performance

expectations, and infrastructure needs, required to provide safe, equitable,

acceptable, accessible, effective, and appropriate services.

Adolescent Responsive Services – refers to those services that are offered to

adolescents

in ways that they find appealing, that respect their right to privacy and confidentiality

and that meet their needs, as they define them.

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Table of Contents
FOREWORD...............................................................................................................................................ii
PREFACE...................................................................................................................................................iv
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS..................................................................................................v
KEY CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGIES..............................................................................................vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................1
1.1 Background...................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Purpose of the strategic plan....................................................................................................2
1.3 Scope of the Strategic Plan......................................................................................................3
CHAPTER TWO: STRATEGIC DIRECTION..............................................................................................8
2.1 Mandate........................................................................................................................................8
2.2 Vision Statement...........................................................................................................................8
2.3 Mission statement.........................................................................................................................8
2.4 Strategic Goals and Objectives...............................................................................................8
2.5 Core Values...................................................................................................................................9
2.6 Quality Policy Statement..........................................................................................................10
CHAPTER 3: SITUATIONAL AND STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS..........................................................................11
3.1 Global situation...........................................................................................................................11
3.2 Regional situation.......................................................................................................................11
3.3 Kenya perspective.....................................................................................................................12
3.4 Human Resources for Adolescent Health............................................................................14
3.5 SWOT Analysis..................................................................................................................................16
3.6 Key Achievements.....................................................................................................................19
3.7 Challenges...................................................................................................................................19
3.8 Lessons Learnt.............................................................................................................................20
3.9 Stakeholder Analysis..................................................................................................................21

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CHAPTER 4: STRATEGIC ISSUES, GOALS, AND KEY RESULTS.........................................................23
4.0 Overview......................................................................................................................................23
4.1 Strategic Issues............................................................................................................................23
4.2 Strategic goals............................................................................................................................25
CHAPTER 5: STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES..............................................................................27
5.1 Strategic Objectives.......................................................................................................................27
Table 5.1: Outcomes and Annual Projections.......................................................................................27
Table 5.2: Strategic Objectives and Strategies......................................................................................28
CHAPTER 6: IMPLEMENTATION AND COORDINATION FRAMEWORK..................................30
CHAPTER 7: RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS AND MOBILISATION STRATEGIES...............................31
CHAPTER 8: MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING FRAMEWORK..............................34
CHAPTER 9: APPENDIX...............................................................................................................................35

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Adolescents in Kenya account for 24% of the total population. However, they

experience many preventable deaths and poor health outcomes resulting from various

causes such as violence, injuries, sexual and reproductive health problems,

communicable and non-communicable diseases, poor nutrition, substance use, and

mental health. Adolescent health is crucial to realizing national and global goals,

including the Sustainable Development Goals. The Kenyan government has developed

the National Adolescent Health Strategic Framework to address adolescent health

challenges.

One of the National Adolescent Health Strategic Framework's key strategies is to

educate adolescents about health and wellness. Information provided to adolescents

would include disease prevention, healthy eating, physical activity, sexual and

reproductive health, substance use and abuse prevention. By educating young people

about these topics, Kenya hopes to empower them to make informed decisions about

their health and well-being whilst developing health-promoting habits. Developing the

capacity of health systems to address the specific needs of adolescents is crucial to

promoting the health and well-being of adolescents. Adolescents have unique health

needs that are often overlooked in traditional healthcare systems. By investing in

training for healthcare providers and improving the delivery of healthcare services for

adolescents, health systems can better meet the needs of this population. This can

include specialized care for sexual and reproductive health, mental health, substance

abuse, and nutrition. Having legal and policy frameworks in place to support

adolescents' access to and use of healthcare is crucial for improving their health

outcomes. These frameworks should outline the rights of adolescents to access

healthcare services and ensure that they receive appropriate and quality care. The

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legal and policy frameworks should also address issues such as consent and

confidentiality so adolescents feel comfortable seeking healthcare services when

needed.

Kenya also recognizes the importance of addressing social and cultural factors

impacting adolescent health outcomes. Poverty, gender inequality, and cultural norms

can all significantly affect adolescents' health and well-being. By addressing these

factors, Kenya hopes to create an environment that promotes the health and well-

being of its adolescents. Adolescents living in humanitarian and fragile settings face

multiple challenges accessing adequate healthcare services. These challenges can be

attributed to a lack of resources, including trained healthcare providers, medications,

infrastructure, and social and cultural barriers. This lack of access to healthcare services

puts adolescents at a higher risk of health problems and can lead to increased

morbidity and mortality rates. Ensuring access to adequate healthcare services for

adolescents in humanitarian and fragile settings is critical to preventing and treating

illnesses, injuries, and mental health issues and promoting their overall health and well-

being. It is important to provide healthcare services sensitive to the unique needs of

adolescents in these settings and address the social, cultural, and economic factors

affecting their access to healthcare. Finally, Kenya emphasizes the importance of

involving adolescents in developing and implementing policies and programs that

affect their health. By involving adolescents in these activities, the government hopes to

empower them to take ownership of their health and well-being and to become active

participants in promoting the health and well-being of their communities.

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 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Kenya’s demographic profile presents both a unique opportunity and a pressing

imperative. Adolescence is a defining stage of human development, marked by rapid

physical, psychological, and social transitions. With 11.6 million adolescents (24.5% of the

population, KNBS 2019), this age group represents the backbone of the country’s future

workforce, leadership, and innovation. Investing in their health is therefore not only a

moral obligation but also a strategic priority for driving sustainable development,

economic growth, and social transformation.

This Adolescent Health Strategic Plan is fully aligned with Kenya Vision 2030, which seeks

to transform Kenya into a globally competitive, middle-income country with a high

quality of life for all citizens. By focusing on adolescent health and wellbeing, the

Strategy contributes directly to the social pillar of Vision 2030, which prioritizes equitable

access to healthcare and investment in human capital as key drivers of long-term

development.

At the global level, the Strategy advances Kenya’s commitments under the Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, it contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and

Wellbeing) by reducing adolescent morbidity and mortality; SDG 4 (Quality Education)

by addressing health-related barriers to learning; SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by reducing

gender disparities and harmful practices; and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by

expanding access to services for marginalized and vulnerable adolescents. By tackling

adolescent reproductive issues, early pregnancies, HIV, STI’s, mental health, nutrition,

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), gender-based violence, injuries, social-cultural

practices and other emerging health concerns, the Strategy positions Kenya to

accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

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Regionally, the Strategy is consistent with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the

African Youth Charter, both of which emphasize the centrality of youth in driving

Africa’s transformation. By empowering adolescents to realize their rights and potential,

the Strategy contributes to the continental vision of inclusive growth and a people-

driven Africa where no one is left behind.

At the national policy level, the Strategy is guided by the Kenya Health Policy 2014–

2030, Kenya Adolescent Health Policy 2025-2030 (draft), School Health Policy 2018,

Reproductive Health Policy 2022-2032, which aims to attain the highest possible

standards of health in a manner that is equitable, responsive, and people-centered. It

also integrates the BETA priorities for health, including strengthening primary healthcare,

expanding universal health coverage (UHC), scaling up preventive and promotive

health interventions, and ensuring access to services for vulnerable and marginalized

groups. By placing adolescents—particularly those at greatest risk of exclusion—at the

center of these commitments, the Strategy ensures that investments in health deliver

equitable and transformative outcomes.

By situating adolescent health within these national, regional, and global frameworks,

this Strategic Plan underscores that adolescent health is not an isolated agenda but a

cornerstone of Kenya’s broader social and economic transformation. It provides a

roadmap for coordinated, multisectoral action that empowers adolescents, strengthens

health systems, addresses social determinants of health, and ensures that every young

person is equipped to thrive as Kenya advances toward its 2030 development goals

and beyond

1.2 Purpose of the strategic plan

A strategy for adolescent health in Kenya aims to improve the overall well-being and

health outcomes of adolescents, a critical demographic that is often overlooked in

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health planning. This strategy seeks to address specific health challenges faced by

adolescents such as reproductive issues, early pregnancies, HIV, STI’s, mental health,

nutrition, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), gender-based violence, injuries, social-

cultural practices and other emerging health concerns. By focusing on these areas, the

strategy aims to reduce morbidity and mortality rates among adolescents, promote

healthy behaviors, and foster the development of a healthy, productive future

generation.

Furthermore, such a strategy emphasizes the importance of adolescent-responsive

health services, health financing initiatives, community engagement, leveraging digital

health, policy development and meaningful engagement of adolescents in designing,

planning, implementing and evaluation to create an enabling environment. It seeks to

strengthen health systems, ensure equitable access to healthcare, and incorporate

adolescent voices in decision-making processes. Ultimately, the goal is to facilitate the

transition of adolescents into healthy adults, reduce health disparities, and support

socioeconomic growth.

Summarily, the purpose of the strategy is to:

● Standardize the provision of responsive health services to adolescents

● Strengthen coordination of services across sectors including financing

mechanisms

● Meaningful engagement of adolescents in designing, planning, implementation

and evaluation

● Increase access to and demand for services by adolescents

● Address gaps in policies, programs, services and adolescent emerging issues

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 ● Optimize the use of digital health to monitor and evaluate outcomes to inform

decision-making

1.3 Scope of the Strategic Plan

Scope of the Strategic Plan for Adolescent Health in Kenya

The Strategic Plan for Adolescent Health in Kenya aims to improve the wellbeing of all

adolescents aged 10–19 years by providing a framework for adolescent-responsive

services and strengthened health systems.

Health Services: Addressing sexual and reproductive health, mental health, HIV/AIDS,

teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, nutrition, substance abuse, injuries,

communicable and non-communicable diseases, and elimination of harmful socio-

cultural practices.

Health Promotion: Advancing education, digital health, and community engagement

to foster healthy lifestyles and safe environments.

Systems Strengthening: Enhancing policy development, building capacity of health

workers, improving data and monitoring systems, and advocating for adolescent health

issues.

Collaboration: Engaging education, child protection, justice, finance, security, national

administration, community organizations, and other relevant sectors to create

supportive environments and ensure effective policy implementation.

Equity Focus: Prioritizing access to services for vulnerable groups, including adolescents

with disabilities and those in marginalized, humanitarian, and fragile settings.

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Overall, the scope emphasizes both prevention and treatment, aiming for sustainable

improvements in adolescent health and development.1.4 Legal and Policies/The

Context of Strategic Planning.

The Adolescent Health Strategic Plan (2025–2030) has been developed in international,

regional and Kenya’s national development priorities. This alignment ensures that

adolescent health interventions contribute not only to the well-being of young people

but also to the country’s broader social and economic transformation goals.

United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals

The Adolescent Health Strategic Plan supports the Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs) by improving health, education, gender equality, and social protection for

young people. It advances SDG 3 through expanded adolescent-friendly health

services and strengthens SDG 4 by promoting school health programs that improve

retention and learning. By addressing adolescent pregnancy, gender-based violence,

and harmful practices, the Strategy drives progress on SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Nutrition, WASH, and school-based interventions further contribute to SDG 2 (Zero

Hunger) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). In addition, the Strategy enhances

human capital for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), reduces inequalities

under SDG 10, and fosters governance and partnerships in line with SDGs 16 and 17.

WHO Global Strategy (2016–2030)

The WHO Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016–2030)

aims to ensure that every woman, child, and adolescent can survive, thrive, and

transform within supportive health and social systems. It focuses on reducing

preventable mortality and morbidity, promoting well-being through nutrition, education,

and protection, and strengthening leadership, partnerships, and accountability. The

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Strategy aligns with the SDGs and calls for countries to adopt integrated, rights-based,

and multi-sectoral approaches to improve health outcomes across the life course.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The strategy is aligned to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which

enshrines adolescents’ rights to health, protection and participation in decision-making.

East African Community (EAC) RMNCAH Framework (2016–2030)

The EAC RMNCAH Framework promotes harmonized standards for reproductive,

maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services across member states, with a

focus on improving quality, equity, and accountability. This strategic plan aligns with this

framework by standardizing adolescent-responsive services. The plan also promotes

regional learning and collaboration on adolescent SRHR, HIV prevention and mental

health programs to improve outcomes across the East African region.

African Union Maputo Plan of Action (2016–2030) & Agenda 2063

The Maputo Plan of Action and Agenda 2063 commit African countries to universal

access to comprehensive SRHR services, the elimination of gender inequalities, and

harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in young people. Kenya’s

Adolescent Health Strategic Plan responds by scaling up access to comprehensive

SRHR. It emphasizes adolescent empowerment education and meaningful

engagement, which are central to realizing the demographic dividend and advancing

Agenda 2063’s aspiration of a prosperous and healthy Africa driven by its people.

The Constitution of Kenya (2010)

The Constitution guarantees the right to health and protection for all citizens, including

adolescents. Article 43(1)(a) explicitly provides the right to the highest attainable

standard of health, including reproductive health care, while Article 27 guarantees

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equality and freedom from discrimination, protecting vulnerable groups such as

adolescents. Article 53(1)(c) further upholds every child’s right to basic nutrition, shelter,

and health care. Adolescent health strategic plan operationalizes these provisions by

ensuring adolescents access non-discriminatory, confidential, and adolescent-friendly

health services, while promoting their participation in decision-making.

Kenya Vision 2030 and Fourth Medium Term Plan (2023–2027)

Vision 2030 prioritizes human capital development, social protection, and inclusive

growth as drivers of transformation. The Fourth Medium Term Plan operationalizes these

priorities for 2023–2027. This strategic plan supports these goals by reducing adolescent

morbidity and mortality, promoting school retention and linking health investments to

national development outcomes.

Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)

The MTEF is the national tool for aligning resources to government priorities and

promoting accountability. It provides a mechanism for performance-based financing

across sectors. This strategic plan leverages the MTEF to secure sustainable financing,

cost adolescent health interventions and integrate them into national and county

budgets.

Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA, 2022–2027)

BETA focuses on human development, productivity, and inclusive economic growth. It

identifies youth empowerment as a key pathway to resilience and prosperity. The

strategic plan positions adolescent health as central to productivity by reducing school

dropouts, strengthening SRHR, nutrition and mental health and enabling young people

to transition into the workforce.

Kenya Health Policy (2014–2030)

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The policy provides a framework for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

through a life-course approach. It prioritizes health promotion, disease prevention and

reproductive, mental and NCD care. This strategic plan reflects this by expanding

adolescent-responsive health services within the UHC agenda, addressing mental

health, NCDs and SRHR as critical adolescent needs.

Adolescent Health Policy 2025-2030(draft)

The (draft) Adolescent Health Policy (2025–2030) commits to ensuring responsive,

equitable, and quality health services for adolescents. This Strategic Plan provides the

framework for operationalizing the policy and translating its commitments into

actionable programs and interventions.

National Reproductive Health Policy 2022-2032

This Policy commits to equitable access to youth-responsive reproductive health

services and elimination of gender-based barriers. It promotes comprehensive

information, prevention and care for adolescents. The strategic plan builds on this by

scaling up reproductive services, tackling adolescent pregnancy, HIV, GBV, ensuring

responsive health programming for improved reproductive health outcomes among

adolescents

Kenya School Health Policy (2018)

This policy recognizes schools as key platforms for health education, values and life skills,

nutrition, special needs, disability and rehabilitation, Water Sanitation and Hygiene

(WASH), psychosocial support, disease prevention and control. It aims to improve both

learning and health outcomes.

The Strategic Plan incorporates school-based interventions like deworming and HPV

vaccination to strengthen adolescent well-being and educational attainment.

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 CHAPTER TWO: STRATEGIC DIRECTION

2.1 Mandate

The Adolescent Health Strategy derives its mandate from the Constitution of Kenya

(2010), guaranteeing the right to health, education, and protection, and is anchored in

national frameworks such as the Kenya Health Policy, the National Reproductive Health

Policy 2022-2032, and the National Children and Adolescents Health Policy (2018). It is

further aligned with global commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs) and the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health. The

Division of RMNCAH, Ministry of Health, leads its implementation through policy

development and dissemination, reporting, partnerships, capacity building, advocacy,

and quality standards.

2.2 Vision Statement

All adolescents regardless of their social or economic background, have the

opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential.

2.3 Mission statement

To empower and create an enabling environment for all adolescents by providing

equitable access to comprehensive and culturally sensitive health interventions that

promote their well-being.

2.4 Strategic Goals and Objectives

Strategic Goal: To ensure equitable access to comprehensive, high-quality, and age-

appropriate health services and information for all adolescents in Kenya, irrespective of

their socio-economic status.

Strategic Objectives
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 1. Increase adoption of healthy behaviors and lifestyles among adolescents

through targeted health promotion and education initiatives.

2. Strengthen health systems to deliver equitable, adolescent-responsive, and high-

quality services across all counties.

3. Enhance adolescent participation and leadership in health programs and

decision-making processes.

4. Eliminate harmful social cultural practices affecting adolescent health and

wellbeing.

5. Ensure a supportive legal and policy environment that protects adolescent rights

and promotes access to services.

6. Expand access to comprehensive adolescent health services in humanitarian,

fragile, and hard-to-reach settings.

2.5 Core Values

The implementation of this strategic plan is grounded on principles that define what

high-quality, evidence-based services for adolescents would look like. The principles

further portray the Ministry of Health’s commitment to the health and well-being of

adolescents. These include:

1. Adolescents should play a central role in their health and development

through meaningful involvement and participation.

2. Adolescents’ dignity, rights and freedom should be respected and

safeguarded. Adolescents have a right to quality, confidential services that

meet their needs.

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 3. All adolescents including those living with disability and those who experience

disproportionate marginalization, should be prioritized.

4. Maximizing equity, gender sensitivity, gender equality, and non-discrimination

in service delivery.

5. Programs should be guided by evidence to foster more efficient use of limited

resources.

6. A multisectoral approach provides greater assurance that services can be

integrated across sectors, thereby reducing compartmentalization, and

systems should be put in place to facilitate this process.

7. Health services are best delivered when they are decentralized and when

implementation responsibility rests with counties and local governments.

Parents, guardians, community members, institutions, and government play a key role

in creating an enabling environment and in fostering good health practices and

should be engaged.

2.6 Quality Policy Statement

The government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Health, and its partners, is

committed to ensuring that every adolescent and young person has access to the

highest attainable standard of health services. The strategic plan upholds the

principles of Equity, inclusivity, accountability, and continuous improvement in the

design and delivery of adolescent health services.

In implementing this Strategic Plan, we shall:

● Adhere to national policies, international standards, and human rights

obligations.

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 ● Ensure that adolescent health services are responsive, evidence-based, age-

appropriate, and culturally sensitive.

● Foster innovation, efficiency, and effectiveness in the use of resources.

● Promote participation of adolescents, families, and communities in improving

health outcomes.

● Continuously monitor, evaluate, and improve the quality of services provided

This Quality Policy Statement affirms the government's collective commitment to

safeguarding the health and well-being of adolescents as an essential investment in

Kenya’s future.

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 CHAPTER 3: SITUATIONAL AND STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS
3.1 Global situation
Adolescents (aged 10–19 years) represent about 1.2 billion people worldwide, nearly

16% of the global population (WHO, 2023). This group faces a triple burden of disease:

infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and injuries. Communicable

diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria remain prevalent. In 2022, about 1.7

million adolescents aged 10–19 was living with HIV globally, with 150,000 new infections

recorded that year (UNAIDS, 2023). Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than 80% of

these infections, with adolescent girls disproportionately affected.

Mental health is a leading concern globally, with one in seven adolescents

experiencing a diagnosable disorder. Suicide is among the top five causes of mortality

in 15–19-year-olds, particularly among males. HPV-related cancers remain a significant

threat. Despite the availability of vaccines, Global HPV vaccination coverage stood at

only 21% for full schedules in 2022, far below the 90% target by 2030 (WHO, 2023).

NCDs now account for over 38% of adolescent deaths globally and 86% of Years Lived

with Disability (YLDs) in young people (GBD, 2019). These include asthma, diabetes,

obesity, cancers, sickle cell, injuries and mental health disorders. Road traffic crashes

are the single leading cause of adolescent mortality globally, contributing to over

115,000 deaths annually (WHO, 2021). The persistence of these challenges demonstrates

the urgent need for integrated, adolescent-centered health systems across the world.

3.2 Regional situation

Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa face the highest global burden of adolescent

fertility. The adolescent birth rate in the region is 102 per 1,000 girls aged 15–19 years,

nearly double the global average of 44 per 1,000 (UNFPA, 2023). Early pregnancies

13
contribute to maternal mortality, which remains the leading cause of death among 15–

19-year-old girls in the region.

HIV remains a pressing concern. In 2022, six out of seven new HIV infections among 15–

19-year-olds in SSA were among adolescent girls, largely due to gender inequalities,

poverty, and limited access to prevention services (UNAIDS, 2023). Tuberculosis

prevalence among young people aged 15–24 is estimated at 360 per 100,000, with co-

infections exacerbating morbidity.

NCDs are increasingly important, with regional data showing that 30–40% of adolescent

DALYs are linked to conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, and mental health

disorders (GBD, 2019). Substance use is also rising, with WHO (2021) estimating that up to

20% of African adolescents have experimented with alcohol, while 13% have used

tobacco. Injuries, particularly road accidents, account for 12–15% of deaths among

adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Regional policy frameworks such as the Maputo Plan of Action (2016–2030) and the

African Union Agenda 2063 call for improved adolescent sexual and reproductive

health and rights. However, implementation has been uneven, and service coverage

remains inadequate. East African countries, including Kenya, continue to struggle with

weak health financing, under-resourced facilities, and persistent socio-cultural barriers

to adolescent-responsive services.

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) carries a disproportionate burden of adolescent morbidity

and mortality. The region records the highest adolescent fertility rates, with over 100

births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19, nearly double the global average. HIV remains a

critical challenge, with adolescents contributing a third of new infections, and TB

prevalence among 15–24-year-olds is also significant. Malaria continues to affect

adolescents in endemic regions, contributing to school absenteeism and anaemia. The

14
double burden of malnutrition—undernutrition and rising overweight/obesity—persists,

with micronutrient deficiencies such as anaemia remaining widespread. Non-

communicable diseases (NCDs) are emerging as an additional concern, particularly

mental health disorders, epilepsy, diabetes, and sickle cell disease. Social determinants

such as poverty, harmful practices, and weak health systems exacerbate these issues,

while access to adolescent-friendly health services remains low.

3.3 Kenya perspective

Adolescents make up 24% of Kenya’s population (KNBS, 2019), and their health is crucial

to achieving Vision 2030 and Universal Health Coverage. Despite policy frameworks

such as the Kenya Health Policy, Kenya Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Policy and the Menstrual Hygiene Management Policy (2019–2030), major health

challenges persist.

Communicable diseases: Kenya has an estimated 84,868 adolescents living with HIV,

with about 6,166 new infections annually, representing one-third of all new infections. In

2024, about 1,351 adolescent deaths were linked to HIV/AIDS complications (MOH HIV

Estimates, 2024). HPV infection prevalence remains high at 9.8% among girls aged 15–

24, with HPV vaccination coverage still below targets: 15.9% for dose 1 and 17.9% for

dose 2 in 2024 (KHIS2, 2024). Tuberculosis prevalence in 15–24-year-olds is 360 per

100,000, compared to the national rate of 461 per 100,000. Malaria prevalence among

adolescent’s ranges from 0.4% in low-risk zones to 22.8% in endemic regions (KMIS, 2020).

Non-communicable diseases and mental health: NCDs account for 17% of adolescent

deaths in Kenya (GBD, 2019). The Kenya Adolescent Health Survey (2019/20) reported

hypertension (1.4%), cancer (0.6%), diabetes (0.4%), and sickle cell disease (0.2%).

Mental health is the most significant burden, affecting 11.6% of adolescents. The

15
National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (2019–2023) found that 44.3% of adolescents

had mental health problems in the past 12 months, yet only 11% sought help.

Nutrition: Adolescents face a double burden of malnutrition. About 11.6% are wasted,

10.7% overweight/obese, and 65% do not consume the minimum recommended food

groups (KAH, 2019/20). Anaemia affects 24.2% of girls aged 10–14, mainly due to iron

deficiency and parasitic infections.

Reproductive health: According to KDHS 2022, 15% of girls aged 15–19 have begun

childbearing, with rates rising sharply with age (3% at 15 years vs. 40% at 19 years).

Adolescent pregnancies contribute to 31% of national maternal mortality. Research

shows that comprehensive contraceptive access could reduce unintended

pregnancies by 73% and maternal deaths by up to 76%.

Gender-based violence and socio-cultural practices: KDHS 2022 shows that 7.2% of girls

and 4.8% of boys aged 15–19 have experienced sexual violence, but only 34% knew

where to seek help. Harmful practices persist, with 9% of 15–19-year-old girls still

undergoing FGM, despite declines nationally (KDHS, 2022). Poverty, stigma, and gender

inequality continue to shape health risks.

Health financing and access: Lack of medical cover has left adolescents dependent on

parental cover or out-of-pocket payments. This creates inequities in service access,

particularly among poor households. Adolescent health funding largely depends on

donor support, with minimal county-level allocations.

3.4 Human Resources for Adolescent Health

Kenya’s health workforce is insufficient to meet the unique needs of adolescents. The

country has about 13.8 doctors, nurses, and clinical officers per 10,000 people, below

the WHO threshold of 23 per 10,000 needed to deliver essential services (MOH HRH

16
Report, 2023). Distribution is inequitable, with urban areas better staffed than rural and

arid counties.

While many health workers are trained in general service delivery, few have specialized

training in adolescent-responsive services. A 2021 assessment found that less than 30%

of health facilities in Kenya offered AFHS, often due to provider attitudes, lack of

privacy, and limited skills in counseling adolescents. Stigma, discrimination, and

conscientious objection remain barriers to care, particularly in sexual and reproductive

health.

Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and peer educators are critical in reaching

adolescents, especially in underserved areas. However, their impact is limited by

irregular remuneration, lack of adolescent-specific training, and inadequate

supervision. School health programs play a role in adolescent health but face capacity

and resource challenges.

Mental health services illustrate a major human resource gap. Kenya has few

psychiatrists, with only a handful specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. The

shortage leaves the majority of adolescents without access to specialized care.

Table 3: Situation Analysis of Adolescent Health Challenges and Key Statistics

Category Challenges adolescents face Key situation analysis

Kenya Two-tier Inadequate lower-level health The healthcare system is built on six blocks:

Health System systems, service delivery, and a lack leadership & governance, service delivery, health

of adolescent-specific interventions. information systems, medical products &

technology, health financing, and workforce.

(Kenya Law, Constitution-2010)

Universal Health Lack of specific adolescent health The Kenya Health Sector Strategic Plan 2018-

Coverage (UHC) 2023 aimed at UHC but lacked specific

17
 2030 Vision interventions in the strategic plan. interventions targeting adolescent health.

(KHSSP Report, 2018)

Inadequate Low numbers of healthcare Health facilities providing adolescent health

Workforce workers, inadequate capacity services rose from 11% in 2010 to 62% in 2018,

building, low motivation, and poor but the quality and scope of services remain

retention impacting adolescent limited. (Kenya Adolescent Health Survey, 2019-

services. (KHFA 2018/2019) 2020)

Health Infrastructure Inadequate infrastructure, privacy, By 2016, the number of healthcare facilities

and confidentiality for youth- increased to 10,000 from fewer than 9,000 in

responsive services, especially in 2013, improving the national average from 1.9 to

marginalized areas. 2.2 health facilities per 10,000 people. (KHSSP,

2018)

Youth-responsive Lack of safe spaces for adolescent As of 2010, only 7% of health facilities provided

Services care, and stigma in accessing youth-responsive services. More than 70% of

services such as contraception adolescents prioritize privacy and confidentiality

(Marraville et al., 2017) in service delivery. (KSPA 2010)

Limited Funding for Funding for adolescent health is Although government health spending has

Adolescent Health often merged with other health increased, adolescent health funding remains

interventions, limiting focus on this inadequate and not ring-fenced. (KHFA

area. 2018/2019)

Coordination Issues Lack of collaboration across Intergovernmental structures like adolescent

ministries, delaying the rollout of task forces exist but cross-department

adolescent health programs. collaboration is limited, resulting in delays.

(Kenya Adolescent Health Survey, 2019-2020)

Table 4: Situation analysis of Marginalization and Vulnerabilities Among Adolescents

AH Category Challenges Situation analysis

18
 Adolescents in Social exclusion, poverty, gender 31% of Kenya's population lives in urban

Marginalized Areas inequality, poor infrastructure, lack of centres. Informal settlements expose youth to

access to services early sexual debut, low contraceptive use, and

other risks. (Kenya Population and Housing

Census, 2019)

Adolescents in Child labour, limited access to health 27.6% of adolescents aged 15-19 years were

the Labor Market information and services, low employed, with more in rural areas (31.7%)

educational attainment than urban (18.2%) (KIHBS, 2015-2016).

Adolescents with Difficulty accessing health services, 4% prevalence of disability among adolescents

Disabilities implications for sexual and (10-19 years). 87% of youth (15-24 years) in

reproductive health relationships; only 12% use modern

contraception. (Mumah et al., 2014)

Adolescents Living High morbidity and mortality, worse In 2024, 84, 868 adolescents were living with

with HIV treatment outcomes, lower rates of HIV (ALHIV) in Kenya, and 1351 deaths.

viral suppression, difficulty accessing Vulnerabilities include poor access to services,

services mental health issues, and higher orphanhood

(Kose et al., 2022)

Married Adolescents Limited use of condoms, large age gaps Married adolescents engage in sexual

with partners, limited access to SRH intercourse more often but have limited SRH

services, risk of intimate partner access, leading to higher risks of HIV and

violence unintended pregnancies (NCPD Report, 2014)

Orphans Increased vulnerability to risky 1.8 million orphans in Kenya, with a higher

behaviours, lack of guidance, and proportion (66%) aged 10-17. Nearly half of

support the orphans are a result of the HIV epidemic

(KAIS 2012, 2018)

19
3.5 SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses

Service Delivery Service Delivery

● The Ministry of Health (MoH) has instituted ● Significant gaps exist in the
adolescent-responsive services to enhance accessibility availability of adolescent-responsive
to quality health services. National guidelines on health services across the country.
adolescent-responsive services provide a structured ● Health workers are not sufficiently
framework for quality service delivery.
trained in adolescent
● The Constitution of Kenya (2010) guarantees the right responsiveness.
to health for all, reinforcing policy and programmatic ● Guidelines for adolescent-
focus on adolescents. State and non-state actors
responsive services are not fully
actively provide technical and financial support to
operationalized.
strengthen adolescent health interventions.
● Inadequate structured mechanisms
● A Community Health Services Delivery Policy and
for meaningful engagement of
guidelines are in place, creating a platform for
adolescents with special needs,
community-level engagement in adolescent health.
marginalized, and other vulnerable
● Implementation of school re-entry policy. groups.
● A low health worker-to-patient
ratio affects quality of service
provision.

Health Workforce Health Workforce

● Skilled health workforce. ● CHP stipend challenges and

● CHPs, volunteer child protection officers, and peer insufficient resourcing.

educators play a role in primary healthcare. ● Minimal investment in pre-service

and in-service training for health
workers limits their capacity to
deliver adolescent-responsive
services.

Health Products and Technologies Health Products and Technologies

● Availability of vaccines targeting adolescents, including ● Unregulated use of social media

HPV vaccine, which has been adopted in the health among adolescents’ spreads
system. misinformation, affecting uptake of
health products.
20
 ● Kenya has a good commodity supply chain, making ● Stock-outs of essential commodities
drugs available in health facilities. (e.g., HPV vaccines, condoms). Sub-
optimal forecasting and
accountability for commodities.

Health Information Health Information

● Adolescent Health Survey conducted; ● Lack of disaggregated data for

● KDHS and KHIS capture adolescent data. adolescents in HMIS.

● Limited access to HMIS tools such
● Data Protection Act exists.
as reliable internet, computers, and
digital platforms (e.g., Taifa Care).

Health Care Financing Health Care Financing

● A national Universal Health Coverage policy exists. ● Limited funding from state and non-

● Availability of the Social Health Authority fund. state actors.

● Low prioritization of resources for
adolescent interventions.

Leadership and Governance Leadership and Governance

● Devolution has enabled greater public participation in ● Low prioritization of adolescent

health and increased budget allocation. health issues
● Global and national commitments encourage policy ● Weak legal frameworks to safeguard
influencers to champion adolescent health (e.g., ICPD, adolescent health.
national conferences, policy documents). ● Minimal meaningful involvement of
● Existence of Adolescent Health Section under adolescents in designing, planning,
RMNCAH. implementing, and evaluating
programs.

Opportunities Threats

Service Delivery Service Delivery

● Availability of policies that address ● Public health emergencies (e.g.,

adolescents’ specific health needs. COVID-19, Ebola) hinder service
● Possibility to expand the Minimum Service delivery.

Package to include additional interventions. ● Humanitarian crises (droughts,

21
 ● Opportunity for pre-service and in-service conflicts) negatively affect service
investments.
training of health workers.
● Harmful cultural practices (e.g.,
● The Competency-Based Education (CBE)
medicalization of FGM) harm
curriculum incorporates core adolescent
adolescent health
health messaging, supporting early awareness
and behaviour change. ● Stigma and discrimination of
adolescents in healthcare settings.

Health Workforce Health Workforce

● Potential to improve adolescent health ● High turnover of health workers may

outcomes by training health workers in disrupt adolescent service provision.
quality responsive services.
● Opportunities for Continuing Medical
Education (CMEs) on adolescent health.

Health Products and Technologies Health Products and Technologies

● Opportunities to use technology for ● Global supply chain challenges may

advocacy and health messaging. limit availability of health products
and technologies.

Health Information Health Information

● Dissemination of survey reports, policies, and ● Inadequate safeguards and unclear

guidelines to the lowest levels improves consent procedures risk privacy
reach. breaches, stigma, and misuse of
● School-based curricula can enhance access to adolescent data.

comprehensive health information. ● Lack of disaggregated epidemiological

● Existence of digital health platforms (e.g., data specific to adolescents.

Taifa Care) to track adolescent data.

Health Care Financing Health Care Financing

● Potential to build evidence to strengthen ● Financing approaches are not

resourcing of adolescent programs. responsive to adolescents’ needs.

22
 ● Competing priorities (maternal and
child health, epidemics, UHC rollout)
crowd out adolescent funding.

Leadership and Governance Leadership and Governance

● Counties can prioritize adolescent ● Low prioritization of adolescent

interventions in new CIDPs. needs by leaders and policymakers.
● Advocacy opportunities with new national ● Corruption and weak accountability
and county leadership. mechanisms.
● Existing youth forums (TWGs, children’s
parliaments, scouts, school health clubs)
provide engagement platforms.

3.6 Key Achievements

Kenya has made commendable progress in strengthening the adolescent health

agenda through policy development, evidence generation, and strategic partnerships.

through the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with partners, several key frameworks

have been developed including the Adolescent Health Policy draft, with new policy

and strategy documents scheduled for official launch to provide strategic direction. A

Community Handbook on Adolescent Health has also been developed, with

dissemination and sensitization activities currently underway at national and county

levels, thereby building the capacity of health workers, community health promoters,

and schools to deliver adolescent-responsive services.

The Adolescent health section has also advanced the development of Adolescent

Quality of Care (QoC) Standards, which are in the piloting phase, aimed at

institutionalizing adolescent-responsive, rights-based, and high-quality services across

the continuum of care. The Kenya National Adolescent Health Survey (2019/20)

provided a comprehensive evidence base on the burden of disease, health-seeking

23
behaviors, and service delivery gaps among adolescents, thereby informing national

and county-level programming.

Strong partner engagement has reinforced national efforts. Development and

implementing partners and civil society organizations have provided technical support,

funding, and innovations to scale up interventions such as HPV vaccination, menstrual

health management, HIV prevention and care, and adolescent mental health

programs. These partnerships have facilitated innovations, strengthened county

capacity, and provided platforms for evidence generation and advocacy

3.7 Challenges
Despite these achievements, adolescent health in Kenya continues to face persistent

and systemic challenges. Teenage pregnancy remains a major public health concern,

with 15% of girls aged 15–19 already pregnant or mothers, contributing significantly to

maternal morbidity and mortality (KDHS 2022). Early marriage, female genital mutilation

(FGM), and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) continue to undermine the

health, education, and socio-economic opportunities of adolescent girls, particularly in

arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), informal settlements, and humanitarian settings.

The health system has not adequately institutionalized adolescent-responsive services.

Only a limited number of health facilities provide dedicated adolescent corners, referral

systems remain weak, and stock-outs of essential commodities—including

contraceptives, HIV test kits, and menstrual hygiene products—persist. Human resources

for health remain insufficient; few health workers are trained in adolescent-responsive

care, and high turnover further weakens capacity. Disaggregated adolescent

health data is limited, constraining evidence-based planning, monitoring, and

accountability.

24
Funding for adolescent health is inadequate and fragmented, with a heavy reliance on

development partners. Budgetary allocation at county level is often low and

inconsistent, reflecting limited prioritization of adolescent health within broader health

sector financing. Weak infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas, limits

the delivery of services tailored to adolescent needs. In addition, inadequate

coordination across sectors—including health, education, gender, and social

protection—results in duplication, inefficiencies, and gaps in service provision.

Enforcement of policies and legal frameworks also remains weak, undermining efforts to

address harmful social cultural practices and protect adolescent rights.

3.8 Lessons Learnt

Kenya’s experience demonstrates that policy development alone is insufficient without

deliberate implementation, financing, and accountability mechanisms. The drafting of

policies, strategies, and standards must be followed by systematic roll-out, capacity

building, and resource allocation to ensure meaningful impact.

Secondly, effective multi-sectoral collaboration remains central to adolescent health.

Initiatives that bring together health, education, social protection, justice, and

community sectors demonstrate stronger results, highlighting the need for

institutionalized coordination mechanisms at national and county levels.

Thirdly, meaningful engagement of adolescents themselves enhances the effectiveness

and sustainability of interventions. Programs that incorporate adolescent voices in

design, implementation, and monitoring have shown higher uptake, trust, and

ownership, underscoring the need for structured platforms for adolescent participation.

Fourthly, targeted investments are necessary to address inequities among marginalized

groups, including adolescents living with disabilities, those in ASALs, informal settlements,

25
and humanitarian contexts. Equity-focused approaches are critical to ensure no

adolescent is left behind.

Finally, evidence-based programming, supported by regular national surveys,

disaggregated data, and quality assessments, is essential for effective planning and

accountability. The lessons emphasize the importance of strengthening monitoring and

evaluation frameworks to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and guide adaptive

programming.

3.9 Stakeholder Analysis

Stakeholder analysis is essential in identifying key actors, clarifying their roles, and

aligning expectations to ensure coordinated, multisectoral action for adolescent

health. It strengthens partnerships, optimizes resources, and enhances accountability in

advancing adolescent well-being.

Stakeholder Roles Stakeholders’ Expectations Organization’s

from the Organization Expectations from
Stakeholders

1.MoH Provide technical Coordinated multisectoral Policy and technical

Depts/Directorates/Divisions leadership approach- Use of guidance- Integrate into
(RMNCAH disaggregated data- Equity sector strategies-
TWG); integrate and inclusion- Scale up Allocate resources &
adolescent health services- Sustainable ensure accountability-
in national financing Strengthen M&E and
planning. reporting

2. State Depts (MoE, Children, Coordinate Clear roles & Mainstream adolescent
Social Protection, NGAO, adolescent coordination- health- Enable
Judiciary, Youth, Gender) health; integrate Accountability intersectoral
into mechanisms- Linkage with coordination- Enforce
UHC/national education & youth sectors- rights & protection-
plans. ICT & evidence use- Support legal/policy
Parental/community frameworks-
engagement- Service Collaborate on
provider capacity resources

26
3. Development Partners Provide funding, Cross-sector Provide funds &
technical collaboration- Evidence- technical support-
support, based programming- Invest in capacity &
innovation, Inclusion of marginalized- innovation- Share
research. Capacity strengthening- global best practices-
Sustainability & local Support policies-
ownership Strengthen
research/evidence

4. CSOs Act as advocates, Protect adolescents from Offer technical

service risks- Advocate for guidance- Support
providers, services- Ensure adolescent policy work- Generate
watchdogs, voices included evidence
mobilizers,
knowledge
brokers.

5. Religious, Community & Business Influence norms, - Respect cultural values- Mobilize community
Leaders values, practices. Inclusion in forums- support- Challenge
Training on adolescent harmful norms-
health- Transparency- Promote positive
Advocacy against harmful behaviors- Champion
practices rights- Disseminate
information

6. Adolescents & Young People Serve as peer Inclusion in decisions- Participate in dialogue-
(AYP) educators, Access to services- Peer-to-peer
advocates, policy Protection from education- Provide
participants. GBV/harmful practices- feedback- Mobilize
Equity for vulnerable networks- Lead
groups- Transparency & adolescent initiatives
accountability

7. Council of Governors & Coordinate Advocacy & awareness- Policy guidance-

Counties policy & Public education- Support Technical support-
governance; youth-led initiatives- Facilitate partnerships-
localize policy; Integrate adolescent health Champion adolescent
mobilize in work plans- Allocate & health
resources; mobilize resources- Build
strengthen provider capacity- Engage
facilities, CHPs, communities & youth
M&E.

27
 CHAPTER 4: STRATEGIC ISSUES, GOALS, AND KEY RESULTS
4.0 Overview
This chapter outlines the strategic issues for adolescent health in Kenya over the five-

year planning period. It highlights the key strategic issues, overarching goal, and priority

result areas that will guide the implementation of this Strategic Plan and ensure the

realization of its mandate, mission, and vision.

4.1 Strategic Issues

Strategic issue 1: High burden of preventable diseases and risky behaviors amongst
adolescents.

Adolescents in Kenya continue to face a high burden of preventable diseases and

health risk behaviors. Despite the availability of interventions, inadequate health

education, stigma, and low uptake of preventive services hinder progress. This strategic

direction involves providing age-appropriate health information to adolescents on

maintaining good health and preventing illness and injury. Adolescents can reduce

their risk of developing diseases and health-related conditions later in life by promoting

healthy behaviors and practices. Preventive care also involves the early diagnosis of

health issues when they are easier to treat and manage.

Strategic Issue 2: Fragmented and limited health systems undermine the delivery of

quality adolescent responsive health services.

Despite notable progress in service delivery, many health facilities still do not provide

Adolescent-Responsive Health Services, and referral systems remain weak.

Disaggregated data on adolescents is inadequate, frequent stock-outs of essential

commodities persist, and many health workers lack sufficient training to effectively

engage with adolescents. Weak linkages between schools, communities, and health

facilities further reduce service uptake among young people.

28
This strategic direction focuses on strengthening coordination and collaboration among

stakeholders to improve adolescent and youth health. By building stronger partnerships

across government, civil society, communities, and the private sector, stakeholders can

pool resources, share expertise, and align efforts toward common objectives. Such

collaboration will foster a more integrated and effective support system that responds

to the diverse needs of adolescents, enabling the implementation of comprehensive,

high-quality, and holistic interventions that promote their health and well-being.

Strategic issue 3: Inadequate implementation and enforcement of health and child

protection policies

Although Kenya has progressive health and child protection policies, implementation

and enforcement remain inadequate. Gaps exist in adolescent sexual and

reproductive health (SRH) policies, while some laws create barriers for adolescents in

accessing services such as contraception in special circumstances. County-level

adoption and domestication of national policies is uneven, and legal frameworks for

protecting adolescents from harmful practices, stigma, and discrimination remain weak.

This undermines adolescents’ constitutional right to health.

This strategic direction aims to promote a positive legal and policy environment

including policies and laws that protect adolescents from discrimination, violence, and

abuse, as well as laws and policies that ensure access to health services. In addition,

policies and laws must be enforced and implemented and reviewed seamlessly to

effectively ensure that they have a positive impact on adolescent health.

Strategic issue 4: Social Risks and Harmful Cultural Practices affecting Adolescents

Harmful socio-cultural practices such as early marriages, female genital mutilation

(FGM), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), stigma, and discrimination continue

to undermine adolescent health. Gender inequality, peer pressure, and negative

29
parental or community attitudes discourage open conversations on sexual and

reproductive health, leading to misinformation and risky behavior. Survivors of SGBV

often lack access to timely, survivor-centered support, while community engagement in

addressing harmful norms remains limited. This strategic direction aims to put an end to

all harmful socio-cultural practices and norms that negatively impact on the health of

adolescents

Strategic issue 5: Limited Adolescent Empowerment and Participation

Empowering adolescents involves equipping them with age-appropriate health

information, life skills, and opportunities to participate in decision-making. This fosters

agency, resilience, and informed health choices. In Kenya, adolescents remain poorly

empowered due to limited access to accurate information, low involvement in

decision-making, inadequate engagement platforms, and underfunded peer and life-

skills programs. While digital technologies offer opportunities, they are underused, and

misinformation on social media poses risks.

This strategic issue will be addressed by ensuring adolescents have access to accurate,

age-appropriate health information, expanding platforms for meaningful participation,

and scaling up peer education and adolescent-led innovations. Digital technologies

will be leveraged for outreach while mitigating misinformation risks. Life-skills programs

will be prioritized to build agency, resilience, and confidence, enabling adolescents to

make informed decisions, participate in policy and program development, and take

greater control of their health and well-being.

Strategic Issue 6: Inadequate access to quality health care for Marginalized and
vulnerable adolescents in humanitarian settings

Adolescents living with disabilities, in ASALs, humanitarian settings, urban informal

settlements, and on the streets face significant barriers to accessing quality health
services. Inequities in resource allocation, weak social protection, reliance on parental
30
cover or out-of-pocket expenditure, and limited tailored interventions exacerbate their
vulnerability. In humanitarian and fragile settings such as refugee camps and conflict
zones, adolescents are at heightened risk of violence, exploitation, and poor mental
health outcomes due to limited access to protection, education, and health services.

4.2 Strategic goals

The strategic goals that will address the strategic issues identified above are:

Strategic issue Goal Proposed KRAs

High burden of preventable diseases To implement targeted preventive and Disease Prevention of
and risky behaviors among st promotive health education strategies communicable and non-
adolescents that address key disease risk factors and communicable diseases and
promote healthy behaviors health promotion

Fragmented and limited health To strengthen health systems to Health Systems

systems undermine the delivery of provide resilient, comprehensive, high- Strengthening
quality adolescent responsive health quality, and adolescent-responsive
services. health services at all levels of care.

Ineffective implementation and To establish and strengthen an enabling Policy, legal and regulatory
enforcement of legal frameworks policy, legal, and regulatory framework framework
policies on health and child to address the distinct health needs of
protection adolescents

Social Risks and Harmful cultural To eliminate social risks and harmful Adolescent protection from
Practices affecting Adolescents cultural practices affecting adolescent Social Risks and harmful l
health through targeted community cultural practices
engagement and policy interventions.

Limited Adolescent Empowerment To empower adolescents with the Adolescent Empowerment

and Participation health information, knowledge, skills, and Meaningful Engagement
and resources needed to actively
manage their health and well-being

Inadequate access to quality health Expand equitable access to adolescent- Access to equitable quality
care for Marginalized and vulnerable responsive health services for all healthcare services
adolescents including those in marginalized and vulnerable adolescents.

31
 humanitarian and fragile settings

32
 CHAPTER 5: STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

This chapter outlines the Adolescent Health Section objectives, and the various strategic

choices for implementation

5.1 Strategic Objectives

This section focuses on the strategic objectives that the Adolescent Health Section

commits to accomplish in the next five years in order to achieve its strategic goals and

to realize its vision. It establishes levels of performance to be achieved on identified

strategic issues. The Plan has Strategic Objectives which are aligned to address the

various KRAs under the Strategic Issues. The Section also highlights the outcomes of

annual projections for the plan period. The outcomes are resulting directly from

activities or programmes to be implemented for each Key Result Area.

Table 5.1: Outcomes and Annual Projections

Strategic Objectives Outcome Outcome FYR FYR FYR FYR FYR
Indicator 25/26 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30

KRA 1: Disease Prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases and health promotion

Reduce the burden of Reduced burden of Incidence of

preventable diseases preventable preventable
and risky behaviours diseases and risky diseases
among adolescents behaviours among
adolescents

KRA 2: Health Systems Strengthening

To ensure that health Improved coverage

services are responsive of adolescent
to the needs of the responsive health
adolescents services

KRA 3: Policy, legal and regulatory framework

33
Strengthen the Strengthened
implementation and implementation and
enforcement of legal enforcement of
and policy framework legal, policy
on adolescent health frameworks on
adolescent health

Adolescent health
governance and
coordination
framework
developed and
disseminated

KRA 4: Adolescent protection from Social Risks and harmful cultural practices

To reduce social risks Reduced exposure

and harmful cultural of adolescents to
practices among social risks and
adolescents harmful cultural

KRA 5: Adolescent Empowerment and Meaningful Engagement

Empower adolescents Adolescents actively Functional

with health information, contribute to Adolescent
knowledge, skills, and planning, National
resources needed to implementation and Technical
actively manage their monitoring of Working Group
health and wellbeing health programs. Interagency
Coordination
Committee with
active adolescent
representation

KRA 6: Access to equitable quality healthcare services

Expand equitable access Improved access to Proportion of

to quality health equitable quality marginalized and
adolescent-responsive health adolescent- vulnerable
services for all responsive services adolescents who
marginalized, for all marginalized, are able to access
vulnerable, children in vulnerable, children adolescent-
conflict with the law, in conflict with the responsive health

34
 including adolescents in law, including services
humanitarian and fragile adolescents in
settings humanitarian and
fragile

Table 5.2: Strategic Objectives and Strategies

Key Result Area (KRA) Strategic Objective Strategies

KRA 1: Disease Reduce the burden of - Health education and promotion on risk factors-
Prevention of preventable diseases and Improve healthcare-seeking behaviour- Enhance
Communicable & Non- risky behaviours among family and community support- Use digital and
Communicable Diseases adolescents mass media for health promotion
and Health Promotion

KRA 2: Health Systems Ensure that health services - Improve access to quality and comprehensive
Strengthening are responsive to adolescent care- Build capacity of healthcare workers on
needs adolescent-responsive services- Strengthen
sustainable financing- Establish Adolescent Health
Centres of Excellence- Improve data collection
and reporting

KRA 3: Policy, Legal & Strengthen implementation - Establish/enforce legal frameworks for
Regulatory Framework and enforcement of legal and adolescent health interventions- Strengthen
policy frameworks on coordination mechanisms for policy and legal
adolescent health frameworks

KRA 4: Adolescent Reduce social risks and - Promote multisectoral collaboration and
Protection from Social harmful cultural practices coordination- Strengthen community engagement
Risks & Harmful Cultural among adolescents
Practices

KRA 5: Adolescent Empower adolescents with - Institutionalize adolescent participation and

Empowerment & knowledge, skills, and engagement- Build capacity on life skills
Meaningful Engagement resources to manage their
health and wellbeing

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KRA 6: Access to Expand equitable access to - Improve access to quality care for
Equitable Quality adolescent-responsive health marginalized/vulnerable adolescents- Strengthen
Healthcare Services services for marginalized, healthcare worker capacity- Strengthen leadership
vulnerable groups, and and governance- Establish Centres of Excellence
adolescents in conflict with for marginalized/vulnerable adolescents- Improve
the law, humanitarian, or availability of health products and technologies-
fragile settings Strengthen data collection and reporting

36
 CHAPTER 6: IMPLEMENTATION AND COORDINATION FRAMEWORK

Strateg Key Expecte Output Targe Target Budget Y1 (KSh. Mn) Responsibility
y Activiti d Indicator t For
es Output s 5
years

Targ Targ Targ Targ Targ Budge Budge Budge Budge Budge Lea Suppo
et Y1 et Y2 et Y3 et Y4 et Y5 t Y1 t Y2 t Y3 t Y4 t Y5 d rt

Strategic Issue:

Strategic Goal:

KRA:

Outcome:

Strategic Objective:

Strateg Key Expecte Output Targe Target Budget Y1 (KSh. Mn) Responsibility
y Activiti d Indicator t For
es Output s 5
years

Targ Targ Targ Targ Targ Budge Budge Budge Budge Budge Lea Suppo
et Y1 et Y2 et Y3 et Y4 et Y5 t Y1 t Y2 t Y3 t Y4 t Y5 d rt

Strategic Issue:

Strategic Goal:

KRA:

Outcome:

Strategic Objective:

37
 CHAPTER 7: RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS AND MOBILISATION
STRATEGIES
Overview:

7.1 Resource Requirements

According to the costing estimates, the Adolescent Health Section requires an investment worth KSh.3.2 billion

Summary of Resource Requirements (KES Millions)

Pillars Total
2023/242024/252025/262026/27 2027/28

Disease Prevention and Related Health Risk Factors 53.6 294.3 243.0 239.1 993.3
163.3

Health Systems Strengthening 58.2 185.0 234.8 215.6 67.6 761.3

Legal and Policy Environment 13.3 44.2 89.7 68.9 0.2 216.2

Social Risks and Harmful Practices 44.3 92.2 77.4 72.9 23.8 310.6

Adolescent Empowerment and Participation 99.5 122.3 128.9 119.6 90.6 560.8

42.5 118.4 53.9 47.4 71.1 333.3

Equitable Access for Marginalized and Vulnerable Adolescents

Grand Total 311.4 856.4 827.7 763.5

416.6 3,175.6

7.2 Resource Gaps

Metric Cost Y1 Cost Y2 Cost Y3 Cost Y4 Cost Y5 Total

311.4 856.4 827.7 763.5 416.6 3,175.6

Total Requirement

Total Available

Funding Gap

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7.3 Resource Mobilization Strategies

To ensure sustainable financing for adolescent health programs, a multi-pronged resource mobilization approach

Advocacy and Lobbying: Lobby for increased adolescent health allocation at national and county governm

Donor Engagement: Systematically identifying and engaging potential bilateral and multilateral developm

Grant applications

County Government Contributions: Utilize Facility Improvement Funds (FIF) for adolescent health services

Health system efficiencies i.e service integration

Private sector engagement-local philanthropies, foundations, faith based institutions, public private collaboration

Engagement with private insurers and SHA to cover adolescent services comprehensively

Add [Sin Tax; Own Source Revenue Optimisation; Efficiency - More health for money; CSR - Private sector; PP

7.4 Resource management

Efficient and transparent management of mobilized resources will be critical to achieving strategic objectives. Th

Strategic Planning: Follow the government planning, budgeting, procurement and performance managem

Automation of Processes

39
System Optimisation-Improve interoperability between health systems
Social Accountability: Engage communities to monitor service delivery and ensure transparency.

Resource Tracking and Audits: Strengthen financial tracking, audits, and reporting for efficient use of funds.

Implementation Frameworks: Establishing clear implementation plans with timelines, deliverables, and a

Monitoring and Tracking: Instituting continuous monitoring systems to track financial flows, resource uti

Periodic Evaluation: Undertaking regular evaluations to assess whether planned objectives have been ach

Resource reprioritization

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 CHAPTER 8: MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING
FRAMEWORK

41
 CHAPTER 9: APPENDIX

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