Father Charles Chilufya, Executive Director of AHETI. Photo | JEDCA MEDIA.
Religious leaders from various faiths have united to promote the uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and screening as essential tools for preventing cervical cancer and ensuring early detection.
Their collective call to action comes amid new government data highlighting the ongoing threat of cervical cancer in Kenya.
Speaking during a two-day Faith in Action Health Conference in Nairobi, leaders drawn from the Catholic Church, Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church, Muslim community, Protestant denominations, and the Hindu faith emphasized the critical role religious institutions can play in addressing the disease.
According to the Ministry of Health, cervical cancer claims the lives of more than 3,500 women annually, with nearly 6,000 others diagnosed each year.
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The conference, convened by the Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI), brought together health experts and religious leaders who agreed that faith-based involvement in health matters is vital, especially given that the majority of Kenyans subscribe to one religion or another.
Rev. Philip Anyolo, Archbishop of Nairobi, supported the role of religious institutions in addressing health challenges, stating that healthcare is a mission rooted in dignity.
“The Church cannot remain indifferent to suffering. Healthcare is not just a service; it’s a mission of love and dignity,” Rev Anyolo said.
“As a Church and across denominations, we must treat this as a promotion of life. Let us go out and restore the dignity of human life, and I urge religious leaders to do the same, wherever they are. This call transcends religion and touches all people.” he added.
Father Charles Chilufya, Executive Director of AHETI, echoed the need for faith leaders to use their influence in raising awareness and encouraging women and girls to access medical services.
“We have the voice, the reach, and communal faith all of which we can use to ensure that every girl is vaccinated and every woman who needs treatment receives it. We must act,” he said.
Tackling Vaccine Hesitancy
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Kenya, after breast cancer. Despite efforts to roll out prevention programs, myths and misinformation about HPV vaccines and treatment continue to hinder progress.
According to the National Library of Medicine, low vaccine uptake in Kenya is largely due to misinformation.
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Kenya introduced the HPV vaccine in 2019, targeting girls aged 10 to 14. Since then, 3.3 million girls have received the first dose (HPV-1), while 2.3 million have completed the second dose (HPV-2).
Esther Mwangi, CEO of St. Francis Community Hospital, addressed public concerns over the vaccine’s safety, affirming that it has undergone extensive scientific testing.
“These vaccines have been approved by science and the Church. They are life-saving and have no hidden harmful intentions. Rigorous testing has confirmed their safety for human use,” she said.
Benda Kithaka, Executive Director at Kilele Health, reiterated the global success of HPV vaccines, noting that they have been widely used across the world.
“The vaccine is safe, available, and proven to work. Over 100 countries have adopted it, and more than 80 million doses have been administered globally. Women are safer when they receive the vaccine for cervical cancer prevention,” Kithaka said.
She added that the Kenyan government has invested heavily in making vaccines and screening services available in public health facilities.
“Kenya is leading in Africa in bringing these services closer to the people, but many remain unaware. That’s why we need faith leaders to help spread the message that these services exist and are accessible,” she said.
Kithaka also advocated for stronger policy implementation to support vaccination and treatment efforts.
“We have policy documents, including the WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy, which aims for 90 percent of girls to be vaccinated, 70 percent of women to be screened, and 90 percent of women diagnosed to receive timely treatment.”
The conference will be followed by the Faith in Action Medical Camp, scheduled for May 16–17, 2025, at St. Francis Community Hospital in Kasarani. The camp will offer free health services, including screenings, consultations, and health education.
