Kisumu County Department of Health in partnership with Hope to Vulnerable Communities Organisation (HOVUC) has launched a new two-year campaign to address rising teenage pregnancy challenge in Ombeyi-Miwani Ward, Muhoroni Sub-County.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programme will involve running a six-day awareness session for adolescents and young people at Ramula health facility in Ombeyi-Miwani Ward. The strategy targets both boys and girls aged 10-25 in Muhoroni Sub-County with a focus in delivering accurate and comprehensive SRHR information and services on menstrual health, hygiene management and family planning methods, among others.

According to the Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Report 2025, Ombeyi-Miwani Ward in Muhoroni Sub-County has the highest incidence of teenage mothers in Kisumu County.

Reproductive Health Coordinator for Muhoroni Sub-county Consolata Otieno says Ombeyi-Miwani Ward has registered a rising number of adolescent girls aged 10-19 with unplanned pregnancies.

Speaking during the launch of the programme dubbed Pleasure-Inclusive Youth Clinic at Ramula Health Facility, Otieno further noted that the area also records high rates of gender based violence, STIs, mental health and new infection of HIV/AIDs among adolescents.

She explained that the initiative is timely and essential in addressing these challenges as well as improving the health of the adolescents and young people in the community.

“HOVUC Organisation has set up a room at Ramula Dispensary to provide free education to young people on how to prevent early pregnancies,” Otieno said.

Speaking during the occasion, HOVUC representative Anthony Oduor noted that high teenage pregnancy in Muhoroni is as a result of ignorance and lack of information on safe sex, family planning methods and menstrual health.

The clinic, he said, will focus on delivering comprehensive SRHR information on menstrual health and hygiene management, family planning methods and side effects, STIs prevention and management, consent, confidentiality, bodily autonomy and positive sexual experiences.

Beneficiaries, he added, will also receive practical demonstrations on the correct use of SRHR commodities like condoms, lubricants, and contraceptives as well as accessing STIs screening, HIV testing, pregnancy testing, cervical cancer screening, and counselling services.

“This is about giving young adolescents the tools, knowledge and services they need to take control of their sexual and reproductive health.

The approach will focus on delivering holistic, in-depth information on sexual and reproductive health, equipping young people with comprehensive knowledge to support informed decision-making,”

Oduor expressed confidence in the programme saying that they expect to achieve significant impact by December 2027 in the reduction of teenage pregnancies in Ombeyi-Miwani ward. He appealed parents to allow their children to attend the youth clinic that would be open daily from Monday to Saturday to make us of the programme.

Jessica Akinyi, the facility in-charge of Ramula Dispensary hailed the sexual health awareness drive noting that it is critical in supporting young people to ensure they have a brighter future and attain their potential in life.

“Beyond the rising cases of teenage pregnancies, we are also witnessing an increase in unsafe abortions among young girls,” Akinyi said.

Some arrive at health facilities with severe infections, while others lose their lives in the process. Additionally, incidents of defilement remain alarmingly high, with many cases going unreported,” Akinyi noted.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Robert Ojwang’