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| ORGANISATION: | LIVERPOOL VCT, CARE & TREATMENT |
| AREA: | 6 PROVINCES: NAIROBI, CENTRAL, COAST, EASTERN, NYANZA, RIFT VALLEY |
| GRANT PERIOD: | 2006 - 2009 |
| BENEFICIARIES: | 30,000 MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN |
Homosexuality is still illegal in Kenya so men who have sex with men (MSM) face extreme stigma and often active discrimination. Kenya's MSM community were not being reached by mainstream awareness campaigns or HIV/AIDS services, yet were particularly vulnerable to the disease with prevalence levels far higher than the general population. Liverpool VCT were one of the first organisations to recognise the needs of Kenyan MSM in terms of HIV/AIDS and EJAF supported them to initiate the first programme in East Africa designed to mitigate the risk of HIV infection by providing MSM specific information and services.
The programme involved the design, production & distribution of sexual health leaflets and posters which included MSM information (some displayed here) and the distribution of condoms and lubricants. It also involved targeted advocacy work with the Kenyan government and has resulted in the National AIDS Control Council recognising the needs of MSM and now working with Liverpool VCT to develop more MSM specific policies and HIV/AIDS programmes. During the first period of the programme (2005-2006/7):
Liverpool VCT recorded a 300% increase in the number of MSM accessing Voluntary Counselling and HIV Testing services at its sites.
The programme also involved networking amongst Kenya's fledgling MSM and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) groups, and Liverpool VCT are now helping support the newly established network of LGBTI groups in Kenya - the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya - GALCK.
The next phase of the programme (2007-2009) will see the support for MSM specific services grow, including recruitment and training of MSM counsellors at HIV testing sites, the sensitisation of existing counsellors to the needs of MSM and the expansion of the information campaign. It will also expand the programme in a new direction; targeting services at another very margInalised but vulnerable group - male youth in detention. The Foundation is supporting Liverpool VCT to start voluntary HIV counselling and testing services, in conjunction with the Kenyan Prison Service, at 10 detention sites across Kenya. They will also develop information materials specific to this setting and provide support services for those that test positive.