- Kakamega County has launched a countywide campaign targeting more than 4,000 young mothers with new adolescent referral guidelines.
- Kakamega County first lady Prof. Janet Barasa revealed that 22 per cent of antenatal mothers in the county last year were adolescents aged 10–19.
- The county has rolled out the campaign in both Malava and Shinyalu sub-counties, bringing together over 1,000 adolescents.
Kakamega County has launched a countywide campaign on triple threat adolescent referral guidelines, targeting more than 4,000 young mothers with coordinated support services. The initiative aims at educating adolescent girls on the interconnected crises of adolescent pregnancies, new HIV infections, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)
Kakamega County First Lady Professor Janet Barasa led the launch of the campaign’s third phase at Isanjiro Polytechnic in Chemuche Ward, Malava Sub-county, an event that brought together more than 1,000 adolescents drawn from Malava and Shinyalu sub-counties.
During the forum, Prof. Barasa launched the first edition of the Kakamega County cross-sectoral referral guidelines for adolescent girls, young women and teenage mothers, designed to strengthen coordination among key sectors and provide timely and dignified support for vulnerable adolescents.
She highlighted the triple threat challenges of teenage pregnancy, new HIV infections, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), noting that these issues continue to deny many young people the opportunity to achieve their full potential, including access to education.
According to Prof. Barasa, 22 per cent of antenatal mothers in Kakamega County last year were adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, more than 1,900 SGBV survivors were recorded, and 18 per cent of new HIV infections occurred within the same age group.
She reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to protecting adolescents through strengthened partnerships, gender mainstreaming, community awareness, GBV recovery centres and youth-friendly services, and commended partners including ICS, through the Kuimarisha Project, and TIKO Africa, for empowering thousands of adolescents with life skills, sexual and reproductive health information, mental health support and HIV prevention services.
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Prof. Barasa urged young people to prioritise education, make informed choices, resist peer pressure, speak out against abuse and utilise adolescent-friendly health services. She also called on parents, community leaders, development partners and stakeholders to work together with the Prof. Janet Barasa Foundation to eliminate the triple threat and create a safe environment where every young person can realise their full potential.
The event was attended by County Executive Committee Members CPA Livingstone Imbayi (Health) and CPA Jackline Masicha (Social Services), Chief Officer for Public Health Ms Rose Muhanda, Gender Advisor Leah Khasandi, Director of Medical Services Dr. Steve Wandei, ICS Programme Coordinator Ms Josphine Odhiambo, and national and county government administrators, among other stakeholders.
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The campaign was earlier launched in Shinyalu Sub-county, where the event opened with a safeguarding de-brief and a PAA movie session that set the stage for discussions on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, responsible behaviour and the challenges facing young people.
CECM for Education Dr. Benard Amwayi commended the collaborative efforts between the health and education sectors in addressing adolescent health challenges, urging stakeholders to remain committed to nurturing a healthy, informed and productive generation. He said the county has created opportunities for girls and boys who did not complete their education through enrolment in county polytechnics, and encouraged every adolescent girl and boy to abstain from risky sexual behaviour, emphasising that their voices matter and their future is everything.
By Wakhungu Andanje
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