Kenya LGBTQ+ Clinics Stay Open Despite Losing 60% Funding

When John Mathenge faced losing 60% of his organization's funding, he had a choice: close clinics or find another way. He chose to fight.

Mathenge directs Health Options for Young Men on HIV/AIDS/STIs (HOYMAS), which runs three health facilities across Kenya serving LGBTQ+ people and other underserved populations. Recent US funding cuts forced many similar organizations to scale back or shut down entirely.

HOYMAS took a different path. Despite laying off staff and volunteers, Mathenge kept all three facilities open by turning to individual donors within Kenya.

"The facilities are still open. We haven't closed any facilities," Mathenge told reporters. The organization mobilized resources from Kenyan philanthropists to ensure the community could continue accessing essential services.

The clinics now operate on a smaller budget, using limited government health funding to pay three volunteer clinicians and purchase basic medical supplies. It's not the comprehensive care they once provided, but it's something.

For university student Kevin in Nairobi, that continuity matters. While services have become less frequent and supplies sometimes run low, the foundation remains. "There have been periods when supplies ran low, forcing people to look elsewhere," he said, "but the community's resilience" continues.

The Bright Side

What makes this story remarkable isn't just institutional survival. It's proof that local support can sustain critical services when international funding disappears. Kenyan donors stepped up to fill gaps for their own communities, creating a more sustainable model that doesn't rely solely on foreign aid.

The timing during Pride Month adds meaning. While celebrating identity, Kenya's LGBTQ+ community is also demonstrating practical resilience, keeping doors open through creativity and mutual support.

HOYMAS shows that downsizing doesn't have to mean disappearing. Three clinics remain accessible, staff continue serving patients, and local philanthropy is building homegrown solutions for community health.

In a challenging moment, determination is keeping hope alive.