In a significant step toward supporting young people, the County Government of Siaya has launched its Adolescent and Youth Empowerment Action Plan 2025–2028 at Bondo Sub-County Hospital, marking a milestone in youth-centered health and development efforts.
The event that happened yesterday was presided over by Mr. Kennedy Oruenjo, Director of Public Health, who served as the chief guest, alongside Madam Pamela Josephine, a passionate youth advocate and program co-facilitator.
Speaking to healthcare workers, youth leaders, and community representatives, Mr. Oruenjo emphasized the need to meet young people where they are, both physically and emotionally. “This plan is not just a document; it’s a lifeline,” he said. “We are prioritizing HIV prevention and mental health support, as these are among the greatest challenges facing our adolescents today.”
The choice of Bondo Sub-County Hospital as the launch venue was symbolic. The facility, a key provider of youth-friendly services, will now serve as a model for rolling out comprehensive adolescent care units. These units will integrate HIV testing and counseling, PrEP access, mental health services, and reproductive health education.
In her remarks, Madam Josephine highlighted the silent burden of mental health struggles among young people. “Many adolescents face anxiety, depression, and trauma in silence,” she said. “This action plan prioritizes mental health alongside physical health, where it belongs.”
The plan also emphasizes creating safe spaces, establishing peer support networks, training healthcare providers in youth-friendly service delivery, and engaging schools and community groups as active participants in youth empowerment.
A highlight of the event was a moving testimonial by a local youth peer educator, who shared how stigma and limited access once hindered his generation’s health-seeking behavior. “With this plan, we finally feel included. We finally have a voice,” he said.
The Nyalore Administration reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the plan across all six sub-counties, with Bondo serving as the pilot site. As the event concluded, Mr. Oruenjo urged partners, educators, parents, and community leaders to fully support the initiative.
The County Government of Siaya, through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Sports and Arts in collaboration with the Executive Office of the Governor, will roll out The Nyalore Governors Cup for football men. This will be a Countywide tournament for talents identification, talent exposure and creation of temporary job opportunities for the Youth – “Kandanda Mashinani, Pesa kwa Vijana!”. The tournament shall be played on weekdays for one month, the whole of December 2023. The one month long tournament will be launched by the Governor Siaya, James Orengo on 1st December 2023 at Sega Mixed Primary School starting at 9.00am. The final match will be played on 1st January, 2024, at the Migwena Sports Group.
