- Teenage pregnancies in Homa Bay have dropped from about 14,000 in 2022 to roughly 7,000 annually.
- Governor Gladys Wanga attributes the progress to coordinated interventions, community action and sustained mentorship programmes.
- Leaders are seeking stronger protection for adolescents against HIV, pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence.
Homa Bay County has cut teenage pregnancies by half since 2022, Governor Gladys Wanga has said.
This comes as leaders push for stronger measures to protect adolescents from HIV, sexual and gender-based violence and early pregnancy.
Wanga said the county was recording about 7,000 teenage pregnancies annually, down from approximately 14,000 when her administration took office in 2022.
“We have cut it by half. It is still not what we want, but it means there is progress,” she said.
The governor spoke at Mawego Technical Training Institute in Karachuonyo Constituency during an advocacy and mentorship forum that brought together young people, government officials, healthcare workers, community and faith leaders and other stakeholders.
The forum focused on the so-called “Triple Threat” of HIV infections, teenage pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence.
Wanga attributed the decline in teenage pregnancies to combined interventions by the national and county governments, communities and development partners.
She said mentorship had also become an important tool in empowering girls to make informed decisions about their lives.
Among the initiatives is the Governor’s Mentorship Camp, which brings together professionals and community leaders to mentor girls and address challenges affecting them.
“A mentored girl is empowered. A mentored child is strong. They are focused. They know where they are going,” Wanga said.
Creating safe spaces for children
First Lady Rachel Ruto, the chief guest at the event, urged adults to create an environment where children can speak freely about difficult experiences.
She warned that girls remain vulnerable to sexual exploitation, abuse, teenage pregnancy and HIV infection, particularly when poverty and financial vulnerability expose them to exploitation.
“Sometimes our children do not need another warning but someone to walk with them,” Rachel said.
She urged parents and guardians to listen to children without judging them.
“We cannot tell children to speak if we are not prepared to listen. We cannot tell them to seek help if the door they knock on is closed,” she said.
The First Lady said the national campaign to end the Triple Threat by 2027 had expanded beyond Nairobi to Homa Bay, Samburu, West Pokot and Uasin Gishu counties.
More than 220 health facilities have joined the campaign, while over 200 healthcare providers have been trained to offer adolescent-friendly services.
Wanga said children in Homa Bay were often forced to shoulder responsibilities meant for adults.
“When parents are infected and have to go to the hospital and come back, the burden automatically falls on the children. When the parents are lost early, children become heads of households in many homes,” she said.
HIV infections remain a concern
Dr Andrew Mulwa, head of the National HIV and STI Control Programme, said Kenya had made considerable progress in HIV testing and treatment.
He said about 1.4 million people were living with HIV, with approximately 1.35 million on antiretroviral treatment.
About 93 per cent of people know their HIV status, 91 per cent of those living with HIV are on treatment and 87 per cent have achieved viral suppression.
However, National Syndemic Diseases Control Council CEO Douglas Bosire said new infections among young people remained a major concern.
He said new HIV infections had declined from about 94,000 in 2005 to 13,936 in 2025, but adolescents and young adults continued to account for a substantial share.
Those aged 15 to 24 accounted for 41 per cent of new infections among people aged 15 and above, while those aged 15 to 34 accounted for 72 per cent.
Bosire also said about 646 girls aged 10 to 19 attended antenatal care clinics every day in Kenya in 2025.
Coordinated action
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga said the government would continue strengthening health services for women and children.
He said skilled birth attendance in Homa Bay had risen to about 91 per cent, above the national figure of approximately 89 per cent.
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Leaders said the gains made in Homa Bay demonstrated that coordinated action could produce results, but warned that more effort was required to ensure children and adolescents remain safe and are able to realise their potential.
By Kimutai Langat
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