Ushirikiano Panda (UP)

Ushirikiano Panda’s mission is to create safe spaces and increase the well-being of intersex and transgender (IT) people in Kenya. The group is led by IT people themselves, and strives to develop a country in which all citizens are free to determine and express their own gender.

Intersex people are people who have been born with ambiguous genitals, hormonal composition or secondary sex characteristics. They do not fit neatly into the biological categories of “male” or “female”.

Transgender people are those whose gender identity does not match up to their sex. Some transgender people choose to transition, making their biological body fit their gender identity. Others do not.


The goals of UP are:

• To build community among IT people and provide safe spaces for IT people to discuss their issues, and develop self-awareness and self-confidence.
• To provide professional counselling services for IT people dealing with trauma and/or mental illness, and their families.
• To increase awareness and understanding of IT people, both within the LGBTI community and in larger society.
• To develop knowledge of the socio-economic and political situation of IT people in Kenya, including the health and medical needs of IT people.
• To change discriminatory policies in order to end prejudice against IT people.

email; ushirikiano.panda@gmail.com