Dear  Colleagues and Partners,

I am incredibly delighted and honored to begin my tour of duty as the UNFPA representative in Kenya. I started my UN career right here in Kenya in 1998, and it is indeed an incredible opportunity to return more than 20 years later in this new role. The country has made significant progress in social and economic development over the last two decades. The population has since increased by more than 40%, and young Kenyans are more connected and empowered than ever before. The passage of a new constitution in 2010 and the introduction of a devolved system of government brought on a new dawn in Kenya that has transformed service delivery and the distribution of resources.

While Kenya has made significant headway in advancing gender equality, ending harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage, and improving maternal and neonatal health, much work remains to be done in order to attain the three transformative results of zero preventable maternal deaths, zero gender-based violence and harmful practices, and zero unmet need for family planning, by 2030. I am excited to work with the country office team at UNFPA Kenya in the delivery of the 10th Country Programme 2022-26, whose fundamental focus remains on delivering a better world for adolescent girls, women, and young people.

UNFPA is committed to supporting the government of Kenya in achieving vision 2030, and strengthening partnerships with actors at the national and county level, civil society, the private sector, academia, and other United Nations agencies towards accelerating the promise of the ICPD Programme of Action.

I hope to have the opportunity to meet you all and, count on your support as partners and collaborators in building programmes and strategies that drive innovation and improve the health and well-being of women and girls across Kenya. 

Gratefully,

Anders Thomsen
UNFPA Representative
Kenya Country Office