A section of Bungoma County leaders and stakeholders in the education sector have raised concerns over rising rates of HIV prevalence, early pregnancies, and sexual assault among the youth.
Speaking during a mentorship and career choice event for over 500 high school students from the Tongaren constituency, organized by a HERS HAVEN Initiative at St. Augustine Girls High School Lukhuna, the stakeholders highlighted poverty as a significant factor contributing to the rampant cases in the county which they say to be higher than the national statistics.
The Director-General of the Bungoma County Special Planning Department, Dr. Caren Wanyonyi, reported that data from 2016 to 2025 indicates a troubling increase in these cases.
In response, her department has initiated training programs in various secondary schools aimed at preventing further increases in HIV infections, early pregnancies, and related challenges.
Her sentiments were echoed by Adelide Kituyi, a paediatrician from Kenyatta Hospital, who said that the figures are worrying and, therefore, called upon the county and government to intervene.
“In 2016, the cases of sexual and Gender based violence was 55, but in 2023, the figure rises to 2872 which is 52 times, this is unacceptable and something must be done,” said Dr Kituyi.
How Hers Haven Initiative has benefited Bungoma residents
The program has particularly benefitted over five hundred girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, with leaders noting that the absence of essential resources has contributed to early pregnancies among many young girls.
The students expressed their gratitude for the training, which they found valuable in addressing their circumstances. Notably, these issues have significantly affected the areas of Tongaren, Kanduyi, and Mount Elgon.
To bolster community engagement, the Bungoma County Special Planning Department has implemented strategies involving local councils and chiefs, aiming to engage high school students and educational institutions.
The founder and CEO of Hers Haven Initiative emphasized the importance of these training programs in helping students navigate their challenges.
She advocated for the government to incorporate reproductive health education into the school curriculum, aiming to better prepare students to face issues surrounding early pregnancy, HIV infection, and sexual violence in society.
“As Hers Haven Initiative, we came up with this initiative to empower teenagers on the challenges they face in life and find the solution,” said Chesoli.
