Ciheb-Kenya joined national and county partners in commemorating World TB Day 2026, marked on 24 March, through a series of pre-event and main-day activities aimed at strengthening awareness, case finding, and community engagement across supported counties.

Duncan Odhiambo (3rd from left), Program Coordinator at Ciheb-Kenya, takes the Cabinet Secretary for Health through TB prevention measures showcased at the CIHEB exhibition booth during World TB Day commemorations.

From left: Dr. Emily Koech, CEO, Ciheb-Kenya; Dr. Tom Nyakaba, CECM for Health, Nairobi; Dr. Wangusi, Program Director, CONNECT; and Dr. Caroline Ngunu, County Director of Health, during World TB Day commemorations

In the days leading up to the national commemoration, Ciheb-Kenya supported a series of community outreach activities designed to bring TB services closer to the people. In Nairobi County, these outreaches were conducted in high-traffic urban areas and informal settlements, including Kibra, where our technical and clinical teams worked alongside Community Health Promoters to deliver targeted health education, symptom screening, and referrals for further testing. Similar activities were also implemented across Kisumu, Migori, Machakos, Kitui and Makueni counties where Ciheb-Kenya implements CDC funded programs i.e. ENTRENCH and PACT Imara. At the Nairobi CBD, Railway Bus station and other hotspot locations, using edutainment approaches to engage the public in an interactive and relatable way.

Through community performances, peer dialogues and live demonstrations, the edutainment sessions helped raise awareness on TB symptoms, reduce stigma and encourage early health-seeking behavior, particularly among young people, informal workers and hard-to-reach populations.

Ciheb-Kenya team poses for a group photo at their exhibition stand during World TB Day commemorations, 3^rd from right Dr. Abraham Katana Director, Division of Global HIV & TB

These efforts culminated into the national World TB Day commemoration held in Nairobi on 24 March 2026, bringing together national and county leadership, implementing partners, and communities to reflect on progress and reaffirm commitment to ending TB in Kenya. The event which was presided over by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon Aden Duale, underscored the importance of sustained investment in community systems, early diagnosis and treatment adherence as key pillars of the TB response.

Beyond Nairobi, Ciheb-Kenya through its programs (PACT Imara and ENTRENCH) supported Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kisumu and Migori counties with community outreaches, facility-based screening, and awareness activities conducted in close collaboration with county health teams and Community Health Promoters. Across different regions, activities included:

• Community outreach and screening

• Awareness campaigns led by community health workers

• Engagements targeting populations at higher risk

• Strengthening linkages between communities and health facilities

These efforts highlighted the critical role of Community Health Promoters, who continue to serve as the first point of contact in identifying TB cases, supporting adherence, and linking patients to care. Despite these strides, TB remains a major public health challenge in Kenya and addressing it requires sustained community engagement, strong systems, and coordinated partnerships.

A key highlight of the quarter was a field visit by the Global Fund Advocates Network to Ciheb-Kenya’s program supported sites in Nairobi. The delegation visited both community and facility-level service delivery points, gaining firsthand insight into TB programming under the Global Fund AMREF TB Program, where AMREF serves as Principal Recipient and Ciheb-Kenya as Sub-Recipient.

Health facilities such as Kibera and Riruta, among others, continued to serve as key access points for screening, linkage to care, and treatment support. Across all activities, one message remained clear: ending TB requires sustained community engagement, strong partnerships, and resilient systems that ensure services reach people where they are.