Executive Summary

Kijana (Swahili for "peer") is a mobile and SMS-enabled service that supports peer educators in helping young men access sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information in Nairobi, Kenya. The platform uses privacy-first engagement to reduce stigma barriers that prevent young men from seeking essential information.

The Problem

Kenya's Sexual Health Crisis

Despite progress, Kenya faces a persistent youth sexual health crisis:

• 240,000 teenage pregnancies among girls aged 10-19 in 2024

• 15% national teenage pregnancy rate for women aged 15-19 (2022)

• 73 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19, compared to global rate of 44.1 per 1,000

• Nairobi (Kenya's capital and most populous county) recorded 11,795 teenage pregnancies in early 2020—the highest absolute number of any county despite having one of the lowest rates (8.4%)

The Education Gap

Sexual health education in Kenya systematically fails young men:

Limited Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)

• CSE is taught as "Life Skills"—an unexaminable subject that teachers deprioritize

• Only 2% of students learn all comprehensive curriculum topics

• Sexual education is largely absent from secondary school curricula

Teacher Challenges

• 45% of teachers feel unprepared or uncomfortable answering sexuality questions

• Only 36% of teachers trained on all comprehensive curriculum topics

• 60% of teachers emphasize that sex is dangerous and immoral

Gender-Specific Barriers

• Cultural norms dictate only fathers/men can provide SRH guidance to boys

• Young men lack discreet channels to ask questions without judgment

• Half of all new HIV infections occur in people ages 15-24, affecting both genders

Research Question

"How might we improve access to sexual reproductive health information and services for young men in Nairobi, Kenya?"

Research Methods

• Interviews with young men of Nairobi on information needs and barriers

• Interviews with young women of Nairobi on sexual health stigmas

• Community stakeholder engagement with peer educators

Key Insights

1. Stigma is the primary barrier - Traditional channels (parents, teachers, clinics) are perceived as judgmental

2. Peers are already trusted - Young men turn to peers but these interactions lack accuracy

3. Privacy enables engagement - Discretion is essential for young men to seek information

4. Interactive learning works - Achievement-based learning increases retention and engagement

The Solution

Core Principle

Privacy-First Engagement to Reduce Stigma Barriers

For Peer Educators:

• Self-learning tools with interactive modules, tests, and achievements

• Knowledge validation through quizzes and achievement-based progression

• Collaboration platform to share lesson plans with other leaders across Nairobi

For Young Men:

• Discreet SMS service for private communication with peer educators

• Accessible technology works on basic phones, no smartphone required

• Responsive support with timely answers and referrals when needed

What Was Shipped

• Service concept and end-to-end user journey

• App structure and UI optimized for low-bandwidth

• SMS interaction flow for discreet communication

• Learning system with quizzes and achievement-based progression

• Knowledge sharing infrastructure for peer educators

Impact Potential

Addressing the Education Gap

• Provides comprehensive SRH education outside limited school curriculum

• Scales quality education through trained peer educators

• Reduces information inequality via accessible SMS technology

Breaking the Stigma Cycle

• Young men can ask questions they'd never raise publicly

• Peer educators gain legitimacy and support to serve communities

• Normalizes SRH discussions within trusted relationships

Why It Works

• Peer education significantly impacts SRH knowledge and attitudes

• Privacy design removes the major barrier to information seeking

• Mobile technology reaches 80% of Kenya's population; SMS is universal

• Complements existing systems rather than replacing them

Challenges & Future Considerations

• Sustainability: Partnership opportunities with NGOs and government health programs

• Quality Control: Regular recertification and integration with professional health workers

• Scale: SMS foundation provides rural accessibility potential

• Behavioral Change: Longitudinal tracking and integration with contraceptive access programs

Conclusion

In a context where schools provide minimal education, teachers feel uncomfortable, and young men face stigma when seeking information, Kijana offers a complementary pathway: empowering trusted peers with tools, knowledge, and a platform to serve their communities.

By designing for privacy first, Kijana creates a safe space for young men to learn, question, and make informed decisions about their sexual health—addressing the gap that contributes to Kenya's 240,000 annual teenage pregnancies.

Design Team: Imperial College London / Royal College of Art
Target: Young men aged 15-24, Nairobi, Kenya
Innovation: Privacy-first peer education combining mobile app and SMS technology

References

1. Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 - Kenya National Bureau of Statistics

2. National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) 2024 Report

3. Guttmacher Institute - "From Paper to Practice: Sexuality Education Policies and Their Implementation in Kenya" (2017)

4. UNFPA Kenya - Individual Consultancy to Assess Drivers of Teenage Pregnancies in High Burden Counties (2024)

5. Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) - Situational Analysis Report on Teen Pregnancies in Kenya (2024)

6. BMC Public Health - "Challenges and opportunities for improving access to adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health services and information in the coastal counties of Kenya" (2024)

7. UNESCO - Comprehensive sexuality education in sub-Saharan Africa: adaptation and implementation challenges