Rachel Ruto sounds alarm over HIV, teenage pregnancy and SGBV in Homa Bay

First Lady Rachel Ruto has today called for urgent and coordinated action to tackle the triple threat of HIV, adolescent pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), warning that the challenges continue to endanger the lives and future of young people in Kenya.

Speaking during a mentorship and advocacy engagement with adolescents and young people in Homa Bay, Rachel said the scale of the challenges required national and county governments, development partners and the private sector to commit resources towards prevention, protection and access to youth-friendly services.

“Let us put resources behind our promises. Let us make youth-friendly services accessible. Let us keep our children in school. Let us strengthen protection systems. And let us ensure that no child is left without somewhere safe to turn,” she said.

The First Lady said Homa Bay remains one of the counties facing a particularly heavy HIV burden, with prevalence estimated at 11.6 per cent, while adolescent pregnancy and SGBV continue to threaten the wellbeing and prospects of children and young people.

“So let us speak honestly. According to data, Homa Bay carries one of the highest HIV burdens in the country, with prevalence estimated at 11.6 per cent. Adolescent pregnancy remains a serious challenge. Sexual and gender-based violence continues to threaten the safety and future of our children,” she said.

Rachel said many cases of child abuse continue to go unreported and unpunished, making stronger protection and reporting systems critical.

She said the national campaign to end the triple threat was launched under Kenya’s Commitment Plan to End the Triple Threat 2023–2030, in partnership with the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).

The campaign began in Meru and Narok before expanding to Homa Bay, Samburu, West Pokot and Uasin Gishu. Within six months, more than 220 health facilities across the four counties had joined the initiative, while more than 200 healthcare providers had been trained to offer adolescent-friendly services.

“We came here because our children face real dangers. But let us leave here believing that their future can be different. Protecting a child is not simply about keeping them away from danger. It is about giving them the confidence, support, and opportunity to reach the future they deserve,” Rachel said.

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga said the Government was implementing health reforms targeting challenges affecting mothers and children, including increasing attendance at antenatal clinics.

He said the Government was targeting 90 per cent antenatal care coverage, compared with the current national level of about 58 per cent.

Oluga also urged Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying more than 674,000 people in Homa Bay had already registered. He said SHA had set aside Sh1 billion to support teenage mothers as part of efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.

The First Lady also led a women’s empowerment programme aimed at strengthening household incomes and promoting sustainable enterprises.

She urged women to embrace table banking and collective investment, saying they should become active participants in the economy as creators, producers, entrepreneurs, investors and leaders.

As part of the programme, 600 bags of rice and 520 bags of beans were distributed to families in need. More than 10,000 Hass avocado seedlings and 2,000 day-old chicks were also issued to women who had completed training under the Joyful Women programme.

“I encourage our women and families to see agriculture not only as a way of feeding our households, but also as an opportunity to create wealth for future generations,” Rachel said.

More than 1,000 women have been trained through the poultry initiative across areas including breeds, feeds, housing, leadership, financial management and entrepreneurship.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said women across Kenya faced similar economic challenges regardless of political affiliation and called for greater cooperation to advance their empowerment.

“The problem of a woman anywhere in Kenya is the same, whether in which political party. It is the time to ensure every woman in Kenya develops,” Wanga said.

She also defended ODM’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying the broad-based government partnership was important for Homa Bay’s development.

“We as ODM have consciously agreed to work within broad-based government because President Ruto decided no part of this Kenya will be left behind in development,” she said.

Principal Secretary for Children Services Carren Ageng’o praised Rachel’s programmes, saying they had helped position women as key drivers of empowerment.

She pledged continued support for Government initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and economic position of women and families.

Rachel said the Joyful Women programme complemented Government efforts on financial inclusion and enterprise development.

She noted that more than Sh28 billion had been disbursed through the Women Enterprise Fund to over 2.28 million women, while the Hustler Fund had provided more than Sh90 billion to 28 million borrowers across all 47 counties.

She also highlighted ongoing development projects in Homa Bay, including the 110-unit Affordable Housing Project, which she said was providing decent homes while creating employment opportunities, including for women’s groups involved in landscaping.

The First Lady said the Modern Homa Bay Fish Market, alongside investments in the Homa Bay Pier and blue economy, was opening further opportunities for women in fish trade, value addition and small businesses.

She urged women and young people to seize the emerging opportunities while calling for sustained investment in health, education, protection and livelihoods to secure a safer and more prosperous future for families in Homa Bay and across Kenya.