Who we are
The Confraternity of Patients (K) (COFPAK) is a registered institution oriented to the health and social welfare of the public in Kenya. The core objective of COFPAK is to represent, safeguard and promote the interests of healthcare services consumers in Kenya at all levels. COFPAK is ardently independent of political or religious persuasions.

COFPAK aims to collaborate with all stakeholders in the health sector to enhance sustainable, timely, safe, and quality services to the over 45Million Kenyans who are potential users of healthcare services for Public, Private and Faith-based facilities.

Need for commitment
In Kenya, despite tremendous democratic progress post-independence, the elections have a history of flaring up pre-existing tensions. With the general election in just a few weeks from now, vulnerable persons such as Children, women, and persons with disability are at a higher risk of experiencing violence related to elections. It is on this premise that we call for deliberate multisectoral commitments bringing together the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) and all the electoral candidates in the August 2022 general elections. This includes and not limited to:

1. Electoral candidates and politicians of different affiliations lobbying for support and power of the need for sustained pro-peace political competition. In addition to this, fully adhere to and promote elections code of conduct.

2. Fair media coverage for all levels of political formations while enhancing; monitoring, education and sensitization of the public on democratic rights.

3. As a pertinent custodian of the ballot, IEBC must commit to not only administer all prescribed related laws and regulations but also efficiently and effectively enforce them to ensure free, fair and peaceful election outcomes.

4. The NCIC and NGEC must commit to continuously address and reduce conflicts through promotions of activities that build good relations, harmony and peace despite the differences in political ideologies.

5. The KNCHR commit to furthering the protection and promotion of inherent human rights in Kenya pre, during and post elections.

 

Impacts of violence related to elections on health & wellbeing 

1. Interruption to treatment and care for persons living with various health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Cancer, renal diseases, diabetes.

2. Disrupted access of healthcare services resulting from fear of movement from one area to another.

3. Increased incidences of mental health illnesses as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicide.

4. Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack

5. For children, violence causes; strained social relationships, loss of parents, school dropout, sexual violations and physio-mental trauma.

Elections are powerful instruments that permit the demonstration of democracy, citizens exercising their civil responsibility to elect leaders of their choice ranging from President, County Governors, Senators, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assembly leaderships. Therefore, general elections of August 2022 must not interrupt or disorganize the gains made but a moment to choose parties and individuals to accelerate realization of Universal Health Coverage in Kenya. By signing this petition you commit to support the interest of sustaining peace, and violence free general elections of August 2022

Executive Director
Confraternity of Patients Kenya