Inclusive and integrated decision making for NCD prevention and control

In 2018, NCDAK launched the Advocacy Agenda of People Living with NCDs in Kenya. NCDAK then embarked on a journey to advocate for the inclusion of lived experience in policy making, programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

The Kenya National NCD Strategy (2021/22-2025/26) guides the process of developing action plans, by national and county governments, for the prevention and control of NCDs. The Strategy mandates multi-stakeholder engagement through the setting-up of an NCD Intersectoral Coordinating Committee (NCD ICC) at the national level to support implementation. NCDAK played an important role in the roll-out of the Strategy by co-chairing the NCD ICC and made significant contributions to developing a people-centered NCD response in the country. The NCD-ICC includes a space for representatives of people living with NCDs. The Strategy also recommends the setting-up of NCD Technical Working Groups (NCD TWGs) at the county level, to mimic the functioning of the NCD ICC.

In 2022, the alliance supported setting up the NCD TWGs in six counties (Kisii, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Vihiga, Isiolo, Nyeri) with an aim to establish stronger partnerships with respective county health departments and other sectors such as transport, finance, environment, CSOs, and media, among others. An integrated health agenda is being pushed at the county level through collaborations with the HIV community. In these priority counties, people living with NCDs and HIV are also members of the TWG in order to voice their priorities and needs.

Meaningful involvement is not just a priority for policy making and programme implementation. NCDAK is also committed to operationalizing meaningful involvement as a strategic priority. In 2023, NCDAK launched their five-year strategic plan (2023-2027) and has meaningful involvement of people living with NCDs as one of the four thematic pillars to achieve their vision of an NCD-free Kenya. Two people living with NCDs currently serve on the NCDAK Board and drive the meaningful involvement agenda forward.

"High-level political will and leadership is a key enabling factor in making community voices heard at the policy making level in Kenya. Although securing a seat at the decision-making table might seem to be one of the early advocacy wins achieved through the concerted efforts of the alliance and its caucus, actual work always begins afterwards.”

Dr Catherine Karekezi, Executive Director, NCDAK