Health officials and partners pose for a group photo at Marafa Sub-County Hospital during a fistula medical camp in Kilifi County. The camp brought together the Ministry of Health, County First Ladies Association (CFLA), M-Pesa Foundation, AMREF Health Africa and the Flying Doctors Society of Africa to expand access to fistula treatment./HANDOUT
The camp, organised by the M-Pesa Foundation in partnership with the County First Ladies Association (CFLA), the County Government of Kilifi, the Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa (FDSA) and Amref Health Africa, started on October 2 and is expected to run until October 9.
First Ladies visiting the camp on October 7 met women undergoing treatment, interacted with health workers and observed the outreach's work with women affected by fistula.
Speaking at Marafa Sub-County Hospital, First Lady of Marsabit County and CFLA chairperson Alamitu Guyo Jattani said fistula required attention beyond surgical camps.
“Fistula is a condition affecting many women in Kenya and needs to be taken care of every day, not just when a camp takes place,” she said.
Jattani said fistula was among the conditions affecting women in Northern Kenya, where female genital mutilation (FGM) was prevalent. She said women sometimes hid the condition because of the shame and stigma associated with it.
“We should therefore spread our wings so that we cover each part of the country,” she said.
The visit also sought to connect the treatment offered at the camp with longer-term efforts to ensure women can access fistula prevention, treatment and follow-up services through routine healthcare.
Dr Henry Kilonzo, Senior Manager, Foundations Programmes, said the M-Pesa Foundation had committed to supporting 2,200 surgeries across the 47 counties by 2028.
“In 2025, the trustees of M-Pesa Foundation committed to supporting 2,200 surgeries across the 47 counties by 2028. What is happening here in Marafa is part of our commitment,” Kilonzo said.
He said more than 100 women had so far been screened in the community, with 29 admitted and 12 surgeries successfully conducted.
“We started this more than 10 years ago, and we have seen what it means to give women back their lives afresh, because the stigma and discrimination associated with fistula come to an end after a few minutes’ surgical procedure,” he said.
Kilonzo called on other private sector players to support efforts to address fistula.
Earlier this week, the partners convened a strategic leadership engagement and surgical outreach in Kilifi, bringing together county leaders, health workers and partners to discuss strengthening the response beyond the current camp.
Female genital fistula can occur following prolonged or obstructed labour, leaving women with continuous leakage of urine or stool. In Kenya, an estimated one to two women develop fistula for every 1,000 deliveries, translating to about 3,000 new cases each year.
The condition can also lead to stigma, isolation and depression, affecting women's ability to work, participate in community life and support their families.
The campaign is being implemented under the theme “Fistula Inatibika - Restoring Dignity of Women and Girls in Kenya”.
The integrated fistula programme began in September 2025 and is currently in its second phase, bringing together prevention, treatment and health-system strengthening in efforts to eventually eliminate fistula in Kenya.
Henry Kilonzo, Senior Manager, Foundations Programmes, and H.E. Alamitu Guyo, First Lady of Marsabit County and Chairperson of the County First Ladies Association, engage during a walk-through of the Marafa Sub-County Fistula Camp./HANDOUT
Meru First Lady H.E. Miriam Mutuma shares a moment with 21-year-old Naomi Kadze after her successful fistula surgery at Marafa Sub-County Hospital during the Kilifi Fistula Camp. The Integrated fistula programme links emergency surgical camps with long-term, routine county health services./HANDOUT
Sophie Onyango, Manager, Foundations Programmes, and Henry Kilonzo, Senior Manager, Foundations Programmes, tour the Marafa Sub-County Fistula Camp, where women receive fistula treatment./HANDOUT
