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Kakamega TVET trainees, teen mothers are set to benefit from new cross-sectoral emergency referral framework after a multi-sectoral stakeholders’ meeting.
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According to CECM for Health Services, Dr. Livingstone Imbayi, the proposed framework will improve coordination among county departments, healthcare facilities and emergency response teams, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and reduced delays in accessing critical care
Trainees in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and young mothers in Kakamega County are set to benefit from a strengthened emergency referral system after the county government on June 23, 2026, convened a multi-sectoral stakeholders’ meeting to review cross-sectoral referral guidelines targeting adolescents, teenagers and young mothers.
The meeting, hosted by the County Government of Kakamega in partnership with Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS), brought together officials from the Departments of Health Services, Education, Sports, Gender and Social Services to review a proposed framework that would establish a coordinated referral system for emergency medical services, with a particular focus on reproductive, maternal and child health.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, Dr. Livingstone Imbayi, said once the guidelines are fully adopted and implemented, Kakamega County will have a structured and equitable referral system that guarantees access to appropriate age-specific emergency response and evacuation services across the county.
“The proposed framework will improve coordination among county departments, healthcare facilities and emergency response teams, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and reduced delays in accessing critical care,” Dr. Imbayi stated.
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The education sector stands among the primary beneficiaries of the proposed framework. CECM for Education, Dr. Benard Amwayi, welcomed the initiative, noting that it holds particular significance for learners enrolled in TVET institutions and County Polytechnics, who are mostly adolescents and young adults.
The development comes amid growing concern over adolescent health gaps in Kenya’s education system. Data from the Ministry of Health indicates that 15 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 are either pregnant or already mothers, with some counties recording rates as high as 50 percent, figures that have direct implications for school retention and learner welfare.
The ICS team, led by Josephine Odhiambo, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Kakamega County in advancing its healthcare agenda through strengthened referral systems and collaborative partnerships.
The guidelines, once finalised, are expected to ensure that teachers and other department personnel who regularly interact with teenagers and young mothers are equipped to initiate timely referrals to appropriate medical facilities.
By Benedict Aoya
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