On February 25, 2025, civil society organizations and community representatives gathered at the Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi to address the devastating effects of the Stop Work Order on HIV services across Kenya, where CEA was a part. With the government and other stakeholders present, the meeting sought to address immediate disruptions, identify service delivery gaps, and strategize on ensuring the continuity of HIV care, treatment, and prevention. Strengthening community resilience and advocating for alternative funding mechanisms remained at the core of this critical discussion.

The meeting highlighted the far-reaching consequences of the Stop Work Order. Key health services, such as TB testing, sample transportation, and treatment for drug-resistant TB, faced significant disruption. Contracts for peer educators and outreach workers were terminated, resulting in a lack of safe spaces for vulnerable populations and amplified discrimination. Without proper integration frameworks, service delivery was fragmented, impeding Kenya’s efforts to achieve its 2030 HIV targets. Participants called on the government to develop clear policies, prioritize domestic resource mobilization, and engage stakeholders in mitigating the crisis. The mental health strain on healthcare workers, alongside the increased risk of malnutrition in vulnerable groups due to funding freezes, further underscored the urgency for intervention.

Concluding the event, attendees identified actionable steps to tackle the challenges. Advocates urged the engagement of U.S. agencies and global stakeholders to reverse the Stop Work Order and sustain funding. Civil society organizations pledged to lead advocacy campaigns, amplify personal stories, and leverage media platforms to highlight the impact of donor-funded programs. The meeting reinforced a united commitment to collaboration, transparency, and community-centered strategies to protect the millions of Kenyans relying on uninterrupted HIV services. With a focus on domestic resource mobilization, cohesive healthcare frameworks, and patient-centered transitions, stakeholders set out to address this crisis with determination and urgency.