Happy Monday Who keeps homes, families, and communities running every day? In Kenya, women spend an average of 4 hours and 30 minutes each day on unpaid domestic and care work contributing an estimated 25.8 billion hours annually, compared to 4.8 billion hours by men. These figures highlight a reality that often goes unseen: care work is the foundation that sustains households, economies, and societies. Yet much of this essential work remains unpaid, undervalued, and unrecognized. As conversations around the care economy continue to grow, there is an urgent need for policies and investments that recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work, while supporting those who provide it. Care work powers our society. It’s time we value it accordingly. #CareEconomy #UnpaidCareWork #GenderEquality #WomenAndWork #CarePolicy #EconomicJustice #ICRWAfrica

Today, ICRW Africa is participating in the validation of the Action Plan for the National Care Policy a critical step toward transforming policy commitments into practical, measurable actions. This workshop brings together key stakeholders to review and refine the action plan, incorporate diverse perspectives, and build consensus on implementation strategies, roles, and resource mobilization. The process is essential in ensuring that care policies are inclusive, feasible, and responsive to the realities of women, families, and communities. @ICRWAfrica , we recognize that investing in care is investing in gender equality, economic empowerment, and social well-being. We are proud to contribute evidence and insights that support stronger care systems and meaningful policy implementation. #CarePolicy #GenderEquality #CareEconomy #PolicyDialogue #ICRWAfrica #SocialProtection #WomenEmpowerment #EvidenceToAction #NationalCarePolicy

.@KELINKenya's @OmotoPauline and @NCDAllianceKe's @AnneSwakei joined @MintoFmradio to raise awareness about the Healthy Diets Movement under the Food Policy Coalition. "We want every Kenyan to reap the benefits of healthy eating. A healthy diet can help prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and for those already living with NCDs, it plays a critical role in managing their condition," said @OmotoPauline. #WhatsInMyFoodKE #FoodPolicyKE @IILAinfo @KenyaNCCK @NCDAllianceKe @aphrc @IncubatorGHAI @VitalStrat

✨ And just like that, #RHNKPanAfricanConference2026 is #DoneAndDusted! What an incredible few days it has been at the #TheCostOfConnection booth. From thought-provoking conversations and powerful youth perspectives to Shuga screenings, games, storytelling, and unforgettable moments, we explored the many realities of accessing SRHR information and services in an increasingly digital world. A huge thank you to the amazing teams from KCAT, and @ShugaMashariki for bringing the energy, facilitating meaningful discussions, challenging perspectives, and creating a space where everyone could learn, connect, and share openly. The passion, creativity, and commitment you brought to every session made this experience truly special. 🔥 Special appreciation to the @ShugaMashariki cast for stopping by the booth, interacting with participants, taking photos, sharing laughs, and helping bring the conversations to life. 🎬✨ Most importantly, thank you to every person who visited the booth, contributed and participated in our activities, attended the screenings, asked questions, shared experiences, and reminded us why these conversations matter. Your voices shaped this experience. Finally, thank you to the conference organizers for creating space for these important discussions and for recognizing the value of engaging young people on digital health, digital rights, online safety, wellbeing, and SRHR. Until next time, let's keep the conversation going. #DoneAndDusted #TheCostOfConnection #ShugaMashariki #RHNKPanAfricanConference2026 #DigitalHealth #DigitalRights #YouthAndSRHR @rhnkorg @ShujaazInc @Shugaglobal @MalecheAllan @wanameme @ShugaMashariki @wanameme @DigHealthRights @melindalorenda @MilimuElsie @odiwuor_simon @WaweruJackline

Submit your abstract for the next Studies in Family Planning special issue! 🗓️ Abstract Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026 Learn more about the submissions guidelines here: bit.ly/48OOhNV #SFPjournal

Governments should take care economy seriously because it contributes to the National GDP.

This is a special day for every woman, let us purpose to end period poverty.

FIDA-Kenya will lead the commemoration of World Menstruation Day on 28/5/2026 at Nyalenda Health Centre. FIDA-Kenya will give out dignity kits to girls & offer legal aid. Both CSOs & #GOK will present to support menstrual health. #togetherforaperiodfriendlyworld

There is NO waiting period to report a missing child — cases should be reported IMMEDIATELY to the nearest police station, Children Services Office or Child Helpline 116.

GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES NATIONAL GBV REPORTING WHATSAPP PLATFORM DURING THE SECOND BI-ANNUAL NATIONAL GENDER SECTOR WORKING GROUP. The government has today launched a groundbreaking intervention to strengthen reporting, protection and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in the country. The National GBV Reporting WhatsApp platform 𝟮𝟱𝟰𝟳𝟮𝟰𝟴𝟴𝟰𝟰𝟰𝟰 provides a confidential tool for users to access psychological, legal and counseling support as well as critical referral services for survivors of SGBV, including Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence. Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary @hannawcheptumo said the platform will enhance quick and accessible support to survivors ensuring timely and effective response and prevention initiatives. "This tool leverages widespread digital connectivity to provide immediate, automated, and confidential psychological support, legal counseling, and direct referral mechanisms for survivors of online and physical violence", said the CS. Also unveiled during the Bi-Annual event are the Guidelines for Gender Mainstreaming into Climate Action. The framework seeks to integrate gender perspectives into climate change responses across all sectors, addressing the disproportionate impact on women and vulnerable communities. The event brought together intergovernmental gender sector representatives including development partners and civil society organizations.

Today, we launch 🎉 For 26 years, CREAW has worked to advance the rights, dignity, and agency of women and girls across Kenya. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter. Our Strategic Plan 2026–2030 reflects our renewed ambition to deepen impact, strengthen systems, amplify voices, and advance transformative change for women and girls. Because gender justice requires bold action. Because equality demands collective commitment. Because the future must work for all. Join us as we unveil CREAW’s next chapter. #PowerVoiceAgency #CollaborationForImpact #26YearsOfImpact

I concur , we must resist

WHY WE MUST REJECT THE FINANCE BILL 2026 Here is the numbered list of the controversial sections of the Finance Bill: **Warrantless Data Access: ** Grants KRA unchecked access to private bank and mobile money records without a court order, violating constitutional privacy rights. *Higher Smartphone Costs:* Raises the excise duty on mobile devices from 10% to 25%, making phones more expensive. **Costlier Internet: ** Imposes a new 15% tax on mobile data packages and internet bundles. *Expensive Mobile Money:* Removes VAT exemptions on financial transactions, driving up transaction fees for mobile transfers and payment systems. **Upfront Mitumba Tax: ** Forces second-hand clothes traders to pay a 5% tax at customs based on "deemed profit," regardless of whether they make a loss. **Increased Rent: ** Raises residential rental income tax from 7.5% to 10%, which is expected to trigger higher monthly rent for tenants. **Fuel Pricing Changes: ** Alters the EPRA fuel levy formula, this will secure state funds rather than lowering local pump prices. *Taxed Healthcare and Food Inputs:* Strips tax exemptions on raw materials used to make local medicines, animal feed, and green energy products. #rejectthefinacebill

Triple threat is real in the country. This are not just figures. youtu.be/9avOSPQPj4o

Conflict divides. Connection heals. Join Vision Changers Kenya for “From Conflict to Connection” a youth workshop using sports & arts to promote peace, dialogue, unity, and conflict resolution. #FromConflictToConnection #PeaceBuilding

New research published in Studies in Family Planning evaluates the impact of Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme’s (NHIS) contraceptive coverage policy on contraceptive use. Read more: bit.ly/42xnZwm Read the study in #SFPjournal: bit.ly/4tv2WFz

Together, we continue building stronger, resilient, and empowered communities where everyone has a chance to thrive. #HopeKwaVijanaMtaani #CommunityResilience #Empowerment

The Finance Bill, 2026 was published on 30th April and is now before Parliament and every Kenyan deserves to know what is in it. The government targets Ksh3.63 trillion in revenue for 2026/27 and a wider budget deficit of 5.3% of GDP in the 2026/27 fiscal year (July-June) up from 4.7% in 2025/26. These are not unreasonable fiscal objectives but the manner in which the burden of achieving them is distributed is a cause for serious concern. On tax filing timelines, the Bill moves the income tax return deadline to April 30th which is two months earlier than the current June 30th and compresses nil return filing to January 31st. This reduces the time available for audit completion, cash flow planning and compliance. For small businesses and individual traders, this is not administrative reform. It is an additional compliance cost they can ill afford. On mitumba, the Bill inserts a new Section 12H into the Income Tax Act which deems profit at 5% of customs value payable upfront before goods are released by KRA as a final tax. A trader importing a bale worth Ksh1 million pays Ksh50,000 regardless of whether they make a profit or a loss. I cannot in good conscience describe this as equitable.  The Bill increases residential rental income tax from 7.5% to 10%. Absent a serious enforcement framework, this will drive non-compliance rather than revenue. The government must fix the enforcement gap before it increases the rate. One without the other is burden-shifting. On digital financial services, the Bill removes existing VAT exemptions on money transfers and payment processing. These are the tools of financial inclusion that millions of Kenyans including the very people this government says it wants to reach rely on daily. Making them more expensive will not serve the objective of a broader tax base.  By including interchange and merchant service fees within the definition of management or professional fees for withholding tax purposes, the Bill introduces a compliance burden into automated banking processes. That burden will be passed on to businesses and ultimately to consumers. The amendment to Section 24 of the Income Tax Act empowers KRA to deem at least 60% of a company's undistributed income as dividends for tax purposes. This fails to account for legitimate decisions on reinvestment, working capital and business growth. It is a retrogressive measure that sends the wrong signal to the investors Kenya needs. A 25% excise duty on telephones for cellular and wireless networks is proposed. A phone is not a luxury. It is how Kenyans bank, communicate, conduct business and access government services. Parliament must interrogate this carefully. On PAYE, Kenyans were led to expect relief and a restructuring of the tax bands to ease the burden on salaried workers. That proposal does not appear in this Bill. That is not a minor omission. An explanation is owed to every employed Kenyan who was waiting for it. To be fair, the Bill is not without merit. The reduction of corporate tax for non-resident companies from 37.5% to 30% improves our investment climate. The extension of the tax amnesty to cover liabilities up to 31st December 2025 provides a genuine and welcome pathway to compliance. VAT exemptions on electric buses, bicycles, dialysers, animal feed raw materials and PPP infrastructure are sensible measures. The clarity introduced on trust taxation ensuring beneficiaries are not taxed on income already taxed at the trust level and the recognition of gratuity contributions as exempt income are also steps in the right direction. Be that as it may, we cannot afford a repeat of June 2024. Parliament must discharge its oversight role with the seriousness this moment demands. They should not merely rubber-stamp what the Treasury has placed before it. Every clause must be scrutinised. Every punitive or ambiguous provision must be rejected or amended. #FinanceBill2026 #PublicParticipation

The rules for how Kenya does referendums could change. You can help shape them. @Senate_KE wants public comments on the Referendum Bill (Senate Bills No. 3 of 2026). This Bill will consolidate laws on everything from starting a referendum, to voting, challenging results, and implementing them. This is your chance to influence how big national decisions are made. Submit your memorandum to: clerk.senate@parliament.go.ke Copied to (CC): senatejlahrc@parliament.go.ke Deadline: 29th May 2026. Democracy works when we all participate. #PublicParticipationKE

Congratulations to the newly appointed Judges of the #ELC on this achievement. We trust you will promote fairness, protect land & environmental rights, & support equal access to justice, especially for women and vulnerable groups who face greater challenges in these areas.