A $7 million development impact bond targeting adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services has been unveiled in Kenya by a UN team, marking the first such initiative in the country through the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and partner agencies.
The three-year program, funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund, aims to mobilize $13 million in total financing through performance-based outcomes. The funds will support the "In Their Hands" initiative by Triggerise, providing SRH and HIV services to over 500,000 teenagers across 10 counties: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira, Bungoma, Busia, and Kakamega.
UNFPA Kenya Representative Anders Thomsen emphasized the bond’s innovative approach, stating it enables outcome-based financing models. The initiative also plans to upgrade 300 primary health facilities in target regions, according to Thomsen.
National data reveals alarming rates of teenage pregnancy and HIV infections in Kenya. By September 2021, 23,117 girls aged 10-19 were pregnant, while 5,492 new HIV infections and 1,473 HIV-related deaths were recorded between January-October 2021 in that age group.
Global statistics from the UNFPA 2022 report show 45% of annual unintended pregnancies are unsafe, contributing to 5-13% of maternal deaths. Kenya, as one of 20 Eastern and Southern African nations, committed to comprehensive sexuality education in 2013.
