Kajiado’s Implementation Experience: When We Move Beyond Silos, We Don’t Just Change Programs, We Transform Lives
In Kajiado County, Kenya, traditions run deep and so do the challenges facing girls and young women. Nearly one in five adolescent girls becomes pregnant before the age of 19, while harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage continue to affect their futures. Yet, amid these realities, a powerful question emerges: how can communities create real, lasting change? Amref Health Africa in Kenya explored this question through an innovative integrated programming model that brings together Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and advocacy. Through three complementary projects; Water Starters, Power to Youth (PtY), and Integrated Erripo Oontoiye, the model addressed harmful practices holistically while promoting gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
The power of integration was demonstrated through joint advocacy efforts, which led Kajiado County to become the first county in Kenya to domesticate the Anti-FGM Policy, illustrating how coordinated action can drive policy change and strengthen government partnerships. Working through cross-cutting networks of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Amref and its partners have improved coordination and engagement in county Technical Working Groups such as the Reproductive Health and Gender TWGs. Joint planning and shared implementation have minimized duplication, maximized resources, and increased visibility through common platforms such as Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) celebrations, advocacy and awareness campaigns, and donor visits.
Integration is more than a buzzword, it’s a smarter, more sustainable way of working. A case study in Kajiado County involving the integration of projects shows that it is possible for organizations to collaborate instead of operating in silos. They can make better use of resources, reduce operational costs and avoid duplication of efforts that often drain in time, funding and personnel. This approach also makes it possible to address complex health and social challenges that no single program can solve. By connecting the dots across SRHR, WASH, and advocacy, teams did identify missed opportunities, share resources, and deliver services that truly meet the needs of communities. For local health systems, integration means less strain from juggling multiple, overlapping programs while for communities, it means receiving more coherent, people-centred services that last.
Evidence from the study shows how integrated programming translated into tangible change. Stakeholders reported stronger coordination across County Health Departments, with program insights informing policy discussions that aligned WASH, SRHR, and youth empowerment priorities, reducing fragmentation and improving service delivery. It also revealed the community level model reached over 1,500 youth across six community clusters, engaging more than 60 youth champions in peer education and advocacy. These efforts contributed to improved access to youth-friendly services and increased confidence among young people to participate in community decision-making. For many, the impact was deeply personal.
“Before, it was difficult to talk about sexual and reproductive health openly,” shared a young woman from the community. “Through this program, we learned, asked questions without fear, and now know where to go for services.”
Moreover, community members reported shifts in knowledge and attitudes, including reduced stigma around adolescent SRHR and greater openness among parents and leaders. Beyond intended outcomes, the program generated unexpected benefits such as stronger peer support networks and increased male youth engagement, demonstrating that integrated models do more than change systems; they change everyday lives. The approach has also built trust and ownership among communities. By engaging local CSOs across different projects, Amref has created a unified “One Amref” presence that communities recognize and rely on. It is evident that open communication and flexibility is key in maintaining this collaboration, ensuring that teams adapt to emerging needs together. What stood out, the integrated model helped spark a vibrant youth movement where young champions from the PtY, Erripo, and Water Starters projects joined forces to lead community dialogues and organize tournaments tackling real health and social challenges.
“When we plan together, we don’t just save time, we save lives,” said a County Health Official, summing up the spirit of collaboration that drives the initiative.
The Kajiado experience proves that integration is achievable, even when projects start out independently provided there is collaboration, flexibility and shared purpose. Pooling resources like vehicles, office spaces and personnel increased efficiency and sustained joint efforts, demonstrating the power of shared assets. However, integration also demands time and effort. While joint planning strengthened stakeholder ownership and alignment, it required greater coordination. For future programming, projects should embed integration frameworks from the design phase, establish dedicated flexible funding to support cross-sector collaboration, and create formal coordination mechanisms such as cross-thematic working groups. This story offers a clear lesson that working collaboratively creates deeper, longer-lasting impact. Integration is not just about combining sectors; it’s about aligning goals, sharing resources, and building collective ownership that endures beyond project lifecycles. By fostering alignment, flexibility, and shared accountability, integrated programming offers a sustainable path towards stronger systems, empowered communities, and lasting change for adolescents and youth. Kajiado’s journey shows that when we move beyond silos, we don’t just change programs, we transform lives.
Yvonne Opanga, Judith Akinyi, Samuel Muhula, Saida Kassim and Nyambura Gitonga,Amref Health Africa