In many parts of Kenya, access to health care is a race against time. With poor roads, long distances, and unreliable transportation, many people struggle to get the care they need. Community health committees (CHCs) are vital leaders of the health system who work hard to bridge this gap. CHCs are a formal part of the government health system, made up of local volunteers who are responsible for overseeing and strengthening community health. They identify challenges, create locally-led solutions, link communities to health providers, and hold government accountable. CHCs are also key platforms to elevate women’s leadership–when women are fully represented on community health committees, they can ensure that health services reflect the needs of women and girls.
Without the right tools and support, some communities aren’t represented by a CHC or the work of the CHC is limited, leaving many communities vulnerable. Lwala works with CHCs to strengthen their capacity to lead health initiatives and hold government accountable–driving toward a vision where every community in Kenya has a skilled, trained, and equipped CHC to advocate for better health.
"CHCs are the vital link that connects communities to the health system,” says Joseph Odero, the CHC Chair of Kanyasa Ward in Nyatike. "We help people take charge of their health, hold systems accountable, and promote high-quality health care for all."
Bridging gaps and building trust in Migori
In order to play their role effectively, CHCs need the skills and resources to plan, execute, and evaluate all local health initiatives. In Migori, Lwala has supported 308 CHCs with the tools, training, and policies needed to meet local health needs–meaning all 1.2 million people in Migori are represented. In 2021, we designed and conducted Kenya’s first county-wide assessment of CHCs to understand gaps in CHC coverage and functionality. Using what we learned, we supported the Ministry of Health in developing the National CHC Curriculum and the National Community Scorecard.
Because of this work, 100% of communities in Migori are represented by a CHC. In 2024 we completed the third assessment of CHC functionality in Migori, measuring whether CHCs meet the required standards to monitor health issues, advocate for improvements, and enhance health outcomes–it found that 97% of the county’s CHCs are functional, an increase from 80% in 2023 and 32% in 2022. Additionally, 58% of CHCs are deploying the National Community Scorecard to identify problems through community input, create solutions with local health facilities, and develop an action plan for change.
In Kanyasa, one community in Migori County, long distances to health facilities and poor roads, especially during heavy rains, make it challenging to access health care and disrupts the referral system. “The lack of reliable transport is one of the biggest issues. This has cost the lives of pregnant mothers in the past,” says Joseph Odero, the CHC Chair of Kanyasa. Kanyasa’s CHC is working together to address this problem–together, they are raising funds to purchase a vehicle that will improve transport to health facilities, making referrals for pregnant women faster and more reliable. Joseph adds, “It's a community effort, and everyone is committed to making it happen.”
Kanyawanga is another community in Migori leading community action for high-quality health facilities. The CHC in Kanyawanga used the National CHC Scorecard to identify power outages affecting night-time deliveries, informing county officials of the issue. After holding public forums alongside CHWs, facility workers, and county officials, the community successfully installed solar panels to mitigate further outages–meaning more mothers, children, and community members receive better care.
Kanyasa and Kanyawanga are two of the many CHCs that we have trained on the National CHC Curriculum, which equips CHCs to advocate for better health care, participate in budget decision-making, and mobilize funds for community-led projects. After training 308 CHCs to date in Migori, we see improvements in linkages. 94% of CHCs now report having a community-based referral system, like the one being designed in Kanyasa. 95% of CHCs hold monthly review meetings with community health workers, like Kanyawanga. “This is a big improvement in CHCs’ ability to connect communities to services,” explains Edel Mumma, Lwala’s Program Manager and County Lead for Migori. “It has led to better health outcomes and greater community involvement in health initiatives.”
Our work with CHCs also aims to transform the representation and care of marginalized and vulnerable populations in the health system. We work with CHCs to increase the representation of women, youth, elders, and people with disabilities in CHC membership–when these platforms are representative of their communities, marginalized groups can advocate for health care that better fits their needs. Our most recent CHC assessment in Migori shows that women now make up half of all CHC members, and half of CHCs include representation across people with disabilities, youth, religious leaders, and elders.
"Having people across age, politics, gender, and disability makes sure that all communities have a clear space for their concerns to be heard. It helps everyone feel a sense of ownership in our work as CHCs,” says Mary Okode, a member of Kanyasa’s CHC.
Strengthening CHCs in Homa Bay and Baringo
Lwala’s work in Migori has been key in refining our model to assess, train, and empower CHCs. In 2024, we expanded our reach to Homa Bay and Baringo Counties, where we are strengthening CHCs to drive community ownership and create a more responsive health care system.
Lwala has trained 111 of Homa Bay’s 281 CHCs this year. We also recently completed Homa Bay’s first county-wide CHC assessment and found that nearly two-thirds (62%) of Homa Bay’s CHCs take part in annual work planning to map out their activities for the year. Women also make up half of all CHC members in Homa Bay, ensuring that women are leaders of health decision-making. However, we also found that many CHCs in remote areas lack the training needed to understand their roles and responsibilities–underscoring the need for sustained, tailored support to help all CHCs reach their full potential and ensure long-term success. "We are working on a plan that includes training, monitoring, and providing resources to support these committees," says Steve Okong'o, Lwala's Program Manager and County Lead for Homa Bay. "We believe that partnering with local entities that understand the community will help build trust, improve accountability, and increase service uptake."
In Baringo, we partner with Dandelion Africa, a community health organization that has worked in the region since 2011. Together, we have trained 20 CHCs to date. "Our next step is to conduct a CHC functionality assessment and ensure the formation and activation of CHCs," says Brian Ombaka, Lwala's Program Manager and County Lead in Baringo. "Then, we will assess their needs and support them through more targeted training."
A path to systems change
To date, Lwala has supported 439 CHCs across Migori, Homa Bay, and Baringo, working with local leaders, health workers, and community members to create lasting change. Using tools like the National CHC Scorecard and National CHC Curriculum, we have prepared communities to identify health challenges and create context-specific solutions.
In 2025, Lwala is working with the Ministry of Health to develop a National CHC Functionality Assessment tool, building on the assessments we deployed in Migori and Homa Bay. This digital tool will empower county governments across Kenya to map and assess the functionality of CHCs and track data to advance supportive policies. We are also steadfast in advocating for sustainable funding, training, and the inclusion of marginalized groups within CHCs to ensure equitable representation and decision-making.
As Lwala continues to expand community-led health, our vision remains clear: a future where every community can help create a healthier, more prosperous Kenya. For the community of Kanyasa, the path to better health is still ongoing–but thanks to the hard work of CHCs, a healthier future is possible. “Our strength,” Joseph, the CHC Chair, says, “comes from our unity of voice, fighting for change, and making sure the health system delivers what the community needs. The health of our people is in our hands, and we are dedicated to making sure every voice is heard and every need is met.”
