Voi: Youth drawn from across Taita Taveta County have undergone training on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) advocacy in a workshop held in Voi town, organised by the NCDs Taita Taveta Youth Advocacy Community-Based Organisation (CBO). The initiative aims to equip young people with skills to raise awareness on NCDs, offer support to those affected, and drive policy engagement at the grassroots.
According to Kenya News Agency, the founder and director of the organisation, Mr. David Mwakio, explained that the group comprises youth living with NCDs, caregivers, and young advocates who are passionate about addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. He noted that the CBO, which started as a self-help group in 2019 and formally registered as a CBO in 2023, was established to fill a glaring gap in NCD advocacy.
'NCDs are a disaster that no one wants to talk about. Many people perceive them as diseases of the old or wealthy, but they are affecting young people and their families,' said Mwakio. He added, noting that, 'In most households, young people have taken on the role of caregivers, and that is why we decided to take action.'
The workshop, conducted with support from the NCD Alliance of Kenya (NCDAK), focused on mentorship, career guidance, drug abuse prevention, partial rehabilitation, and referral services for those affected by NCDs. The NCDAK is a national umbrella organisation that unites patient groups, civil society organisations, professional associations, and other stakeholders to advance the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, mental health, and chronic respiratory conditions in Kenya.
During the training session, alcohol was identified as a key predisposing factor to many of the diseases. Mwakio stated that youth are the focus of the initiative because they represent the backbone of the nation and are increasingly affected by NCDs themselves, positioning them to drive advocacy through public participation forums.
Among the challenges highlighted are youth disengagement due to lack of income-generating incentives, difficulties in maintaining participation due to relocation or employment, and limited access to reliable information for youths living with NCDs. 'There is a need for more involvement by both the government and youth themselves. Young people should speak about the challenges they face so that authorities can understand and provide targeted support,' he said.
The CBO's Head of Programs, Mr. Stephen Mkwasha, said the group also facilitates linkages through Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to ensure those affected by NCDs are connected to treatment and support. He reiterated the need for increased awareness among the youth and the importance of community-based interventions.
Rodgers Ngoo, a member of the NCDs Taita Taveta Youth Advocacy Community-Based Organisation, emphasised that the CBO draws membership from all four sub-counties, including Taveta, Wundanyi, Mwatate, and Voi. He called on youth in rural areas to actively engage in such initiatives to expand the reach of information.
50% and 55% of hospital admissions and about 39% of deaths in the country are linked to such diseases. He called for protection of health budgets from cuts during supplementary budget reviews, improved investment in mental health services, and increased funding for CHPs, particularly those who are youth. 'County governments must not let budget constraints delay or derail crucial health projects. We are also calling for deliberate efforts to allocate funds for youth who are working as CHPs so they can continue offering essential services,' Ngoo stated.
Concerns from those living with NCDs were also raised during the workshop. Ms. Dora Karea, a resident of Taveta and a person living with sickle cell anaemia, said there are more than 50 others living with the condition in her area. She decried the lack of accessible health facilities and equipment, noting that patients often have to travel long distances for tests and treatment. 'Sometimes, if you cannot afford the cost of travel or treatment, you go without help,' she said, adding that, 'These training sessions have empowered us to educate our communities, especially in dispelling myths that such conditions are caused by witchcraft.'
Ms. Eunice Mkamburi, a caregiver to patients with hypertension and diabetes, emphasised the lack of assistive devices and the long distances to healthcare facilities as major challenges for people living with NCDs, particularly in rural villages. 'Through advocacy, we've seen some progress, but much more needs to be done. We are appealing to the government to include people with NCDs and disabilities in the finance bill to ensure everyone can access treatment services,' said Mkamburi.
The workshop emphasised the urgent need for a multi-sectoral response to NCDs, including policy support, increased budgetary allocation, and youth involvement in awareness creation. The stakeholders are calling for authorities to recognise NCDs as a public health priority and to mainstream youth-led efforts in tackling the growing crisis.