Upwards of 50,000 condoms were distributed in Homa Bay County during the 2025 devolution conference that closed doors on Friday evening.

During the conference, demand for condoms surged to unprecedented levels pleasure hunters scoured the lakeside town to sample the entertainment joints.

During the four-day conferences hotels reported brisk business that attracted commercial sex from as far as Kisumu, Kericho and Nakuru. The “weaver birds” or “hospitality queens” as commercial workers are figuratively referred to because of their migratory traits and perception of leisure objects, became an imposing supply-line that chocked the ordinarily rustic town on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Aware of the risks that lurked in the entertainment joints that are rife with casual sex and other attendant liberal social life, National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) Regional Coordinator Stephen Oyugi said the move to distribute condoms was informed by the apparent need to combat HIV spread.

Homa Bay is one of the four counties in Lake Victoria Basin flagged by the ministry of health as high-risk and worst hit by HIV/Aids in Kenya. The others are Kisumu, Migori and Siaya.

Oyugi revealed that a least 10,000 condoms are being distributed daily during the conference – pointing to the potentially high-risk of the unrestrained behaviour.

He disclosed that over 10,000 condoms were earlier this week distributed to hundreds of revellers who attended a music concert at Ruma National Park.

“We are mopping up used condoms, which were likely used in the open fields during the night of long music extravaganza,” Oyugi said.

According to NSDCC, HIV prevalence in the county stands at 10.6 per cent compared to the national prevalence rate of around 4 per cent. Homa Bay is one of the counties where the HIV prevalence is above the national average.

Oyugi described condoms use as one of the best ways of preventing the spread of HIV. He said the organisation was stepping up distribution of condoms in the county to bring the prevalence rate down.

“We have enough stocks for the devolution conference and the county at large,” Oyugi said.

Some of the areas where distribution has been guaranteed include accommodation facilities, the venue of the conference and strategic locations where people can access the devices with ease.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Davis Langat