HIV prevalence rates are elevated among people who inject drugs (PWID) in all parts of the world, and in Kenya the documented prevalence is 18.7%, even higher than regional estimates. Because of the stigma they encounter, this population is also often denied essential health services and support, including antiretroviral therapy (ART).
In Nairobi County, Kenya, health authorities have taken action to reduce the spread of HIV among PWID. The first medically assisted therapy (MAT) clinic in the nation to support PWID was established in Nairobi in 2014 with the assistance of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The clinic was established with funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under PEPFAR as part of Ciheb’s PACT Endeleza Project in Kenya.
The Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital in Nairobi was selected by Kenyan health authorities to house this MAT clinic. Mathari is a national teaching and referral hospital that provides psychiatric services and has the resources and expertise in addiction management.
The Mathari MAT clinic offers free integrated services for PWID, including opioid substitution (methadone) therapy; HIV testing services; ART; condom distribution; vaccination, diagnosis and management of viral hepatitis; prevention and treatment of tuberculosis; and overdose prevention and treatment. The therapy centers on harm reduction, which comprises a range of services that mitigate the adverse consequences of drug use and protect public health. Harm reduction acknowledges that people face challenges in freeing themselves from drug use, and that abstinence should not be a precondition for support and treatment.
PACT is an acronym for Partnership for Advanced Care and Treatment (PACT)
The PACT Imara program is a five-year program funded by the United States Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program supports the provision of comprehensive HIV and TB prevention and treatment services for general, key, and priority populations in Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties, providing antiretroviral therapy for approximately 66,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) across 227 facilities in these counties, (89 in Kitui, 70 in Machakos and 68 in Makueni County).
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The program works with the respective county health management teams to achieve HIV epidemic control through focusing on the following activities:
CONNECT is an acronym for County Ownership and Networks to maintain Nairobi Epidemic Control. The program’s goal is to fast-track progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets of HIV epidemic control and to reduce HIV incidence and AIDS-related mortality as per Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework II.
The Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity (CIHEB)-Kenya was awarded a five-year Cooperative Agreement by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under funding from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) from 30 September 2021 to 29 September 2026. This award has been named “County Ownership and Networks to maintain Nairobi Epidemic Control (CONNECT)” to emphasize building partnerships to achieve sustainable impact at the end of the 5-year collaborative agreement through strengthened health systems in Nairobi County and in national teaching and referral hospitals (NTRHs) towards a sustainable response that is Kenya-owned, driven, and funded.
The aim of the program is to continue the acceleration of sustainable, high-quality, comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment services to achieve the 95-95-95 targets and HIV epidemic control and transition to sustainable service delivery models in Nairobi County.
The program is designed around providing client-centered services, increased community engagement, implementing resilient and adaptive approaches and strategies in programming, and working within county structures and systems
CONNECT’s approach is based on the tenets of:
CONNECT is supporting 65 health facilities, 13 DICEs, and 31 DREAMS wards in Nairobi. As of September 30th, 2022, the program had tested 255,850 individuals, of whom 5,413 tested HIV-positive, and of these 90% were successfully linked to treatment. Over the same period, 40,642 pregnant women attending their first antenatal care (ANC) services were tested, 2,206 of whom were HIV-infected and 99% receiving ART. A total of 62,656 PLHIV are currently on ART
Offered post-GBV care to 64,678 survivors, and prevention services to 78,447 DREAMS girls and 59,465 key population persons.
People who inject drugs (PWIDs) or use illicit drugs are disproportionately affected by HIV, viral hepatitis, TB, and other infectious diseases. In Kenya, the prevalence of HIV among PWIDs is approximately 18.7%, which is a significant public health challenge. Additionally, PWIDs face numerous barriers, including stigma, discrimination, and poor health-seeking behavior, which hinder their access to essential healthcare services.
In response to these pressing issues, Ciheb-Kenya CONNECT, through the LIFT Up project (L-linking/ Connecting individuals to necessary health services, I-Interventions Implementing targeted interventions, F- Facilitating access to healthcare, T-Treatment treatment and care to improve health outcomes, Up – Elevating standard of Care), in collaboration with the Nairobi County Government, conducted a successful four-day outreach aimed at supporting PWIDs. This activity, which took place between 24th to 27th July 2024, focused on young PWIDs aged 15-24 years in high-burden areas within Starehe and Dagoreti Sub-counties on well-known PWIDs hotspots, including Kiboro, Gaza, Kiamboni, and Ndunyu.
The outreach was aimed at providing essential health services directly to these vulnerable populations, who often face significant barriers to accessing care. Services offered included HIV Testing Services (HTS), STI screening and treatment, TB screening and treatment (including chest X-rays and sputum tests), cervical cancer screening, and mental health screening. Additionally, biomedical and counselling services were offered.
Ciheb-Kenya CONNECT program remains committed to supporting vulnerable communities and reducing the burden of infectious diseases among PWIDs through continued collaboration and targeted interventions.
At CIHEB Kenya, we believe that a strong public health response is built on collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Our multifaceted approach focuses on four key pillars:
Meaningful CollaborationsWe champion partnerships that matter. By working hand-in-hand with communities, institutions, and national and county governments, we create lasting change. We empower individuals to take charge of their health through enabling them to make informed decisions for a brighter, healthier future.
Our commitment to holistic health system strengthening goes beyond treating individual diseases and beyond the program life. By fostering resilient health systems, we create an environment where communities can thrive.
We recognize that health is deeply intertwined with various social and economic factors. Our approach addresses this interconnectedness by incorporating educational support, economic empowerment activities, and community development projects. This ensures we tackle the root causes of health disparities and promote overall well-being in the communities we serve.
We are dedicated to excellence in healthcare delivery. By investing in the continuous development of technical competencies, we ensure that our team remains at the forefront of health solutions. Our data-driven and community-led methodologies involve routine assessments, mentorship, and collaborative learning sessions, all aimed at improving outcomes.
[Download the CIHEB-Kenya CSR Factsheet] - [Download the CSR Bulletin and explore what Ciheb-Kenya is doing to touch more lives].
Making a Difference Beyond Healthcare
At CIHEB-Kenya, our work has always been about people—supporting healthier lives, stronger families, and more resilient communities. While our core programs focus on improving health outcomes, we recognize that communities face many other challenges that affect their well-being.
That is why we invest in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that respond to real needs within the communities we serve. From supporting vulnerable children and families, to promoting education, community welfare, environmental stewardship, and emergency response efforts, we are committed to making a positive difference wherever we can.
We believe that meaningful change happens when organizations, communities, and individuals come together with a shared purpose. Our CSR efforts are driven by a simple belief: strong communities create healthier futures. By partnering with individuals, organizations, and corporate partners, we are able to extend our impact beyond our core programs and address some of the most pressing social challenges affecting communities today.
Why We Do It
Every day, we meet people whose resilience inspires us. We also see the challenges many communities continue to face—poverty, limited opportunities, educational barriers, and social vulnerabilities that often stand in the way of a better future.
Our CSR initiatives are designed to complement our broader mission by helping address some of these challenges and creating opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive.
For us, CSR is more than giving back. It is about standing with communities, listening to their needs, and working together to create lasting impact.
CIHEB-Kenya's CSR program focuses on supporting initiatives that:
Through these interventions, we seek to uplift lives, create opportunities, and contribute to a healthier and more equitable society.
You Can Be Part of the Change
The needs are real, but so is the opportunity to make a difference.
Why Your Support Matters
Whether you are an individual, a business, a development partner, or a friend of CIHEB-Kenya, your support can help transform lives. Whether through financial donations, corporate partnerships, in-kind support, or volunteer engagement, your support enables CIHEB-Kenya to expand its community impact and deliver meaningful change where it is needed most.
With your support, we can:
Together, we can ensure that hope, opportunity, and support reach those who need them most.
Partner With Us
We welcome collaborations with organizations, companies, foundations, community groups, and individuals who share our commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities.
By partnering with CIHEB-Kenya, you become part of a growing network of changemakers working to build healthier, more empowered communities across Kenya.
Give Today. Change Life
Every act of generosity has the power to create meaningful change.
When you give, you are not simply making a donation—you are investing in people, supporting communities, and helping create a brighter future for those who need it most.
Join us in making a lasting difference.
Ways You Can Support
• Making a financial contribution
• Support a specific CSR initiative
• Partner with us as a corporate sponsor
• Donate goods or services
• Volunteer your time and expertise
Together, we can turn compassion into action and impact into lasting change.
Learn More
To explore our CSR initiatives, achievements, impact stories, and partnership opportunities, please
download our CSR Factsheet and Bulletin below to learn more about our initiatives, impact, and opportunities to partner with us.
[Download the CIHEB-Kenya CSR Factsheet]
[Download the CSR Bulletin and explore what Ciheb-Kenya is doing to touch more lives].
Thank you for helping us build stronger, healthier, and more hopeful communities.
To strengthening Kenya counties ministry of health systems, CIHEB-Kenya has supported the development and implementation of robust data management systems in over 400 facilities, including Kenya EMR, to facilitate accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting. This includes providing training and mentorship to over 2000 health facility staff on effective use of these systems. CIHEB-Kenya has equally invested in strengthening laboratory capacity in over 400 facilities to optimize HIV and TB laboratory diagnostics support and networks. CIHEB Kenya, in the 10 counties, has been supporting the development and strengthening of effective supply chain systems for HIV and TB medications and supplies and this has improved timely access to essential medicines.
The organisation has further provided support and capacity trainings to over 70 county and subcounty health management teams on TB and HIV programs performance standards to facilitate assessment and tracking of program progress, measure impact, and inform decision-making. To ensure compliance to national HIV and TB guidelines and quality standards, CIHEB-Kenya has promoted continuous quality improvement practices through trainings, quality projects implementations and digital tracking of quality indicators at the facilities, sub counties and counties level.
To sustain quality services in supported facilities, CIHEB-Kenya has provided targeted training to over 2000 MoH health care workers and about 400 supervisory team members on various aspects of HIV prevention, care, and treatment using the national training guidelines. The trainings supported has ensured improved skills capacity of the providers and promoted quality of services on HIV testing, HIV counselling, HIV and TB care and treatment, Key and vulnerable population, Voluntary medical male circumcision, Post violence care, early infant diagnosis, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and DREAMS programs(Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS free, Mentored and Safe).
