Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city hosts over 4 million people with over half of them living in low income settlements which are economically and socially secluded and disadvantaged. Adolescents and youth form a large part of this population affected by the socio-economic disparities, challenges in access to health services and urban violence including higher risks of sexual and gender-based violence, with mental health consequences. Dandora is one of these settlements in Nairobi.

Opened in 2021, the Dandora Youth Friendly Center (DYFC) is meant to be a safe place that provides a holistic package of services to address the consequences of violence and issues related to sexual and reproductive health among adolescents and youth population (AYP) (10-24 years old) in Dandora area of Nairobi.

It offers both medical and psychosocial services to youths with the exception of SGBV comprehensive care which targets all age groups.

This center is run in collaboration with Nairobi County Ministry of Health to serve this vulnerable population- facing urban violence, substance abuse, socio-economic factors such as unemployment and poverty.

The center is run with the active participation of the youth. For uptake of services, the youth are involved by creating space for dialogue and feedback to foster inclusion in the design and delivery of the services

This package focuses on the youth voices on what the youth friendly center means to them, and the relationship the social component of the services has on their health seeking behaviors.