By Sharon Onyango
Siaya Marks World Contraception Day, Highlights Rising Family Planning Uptake
The County Government of Siaya through the Department of Health and Sanitation has joined partners and community members in commemorating World Contraception Day 2026, with a renewed call for increased access to family planning information and services.
The event, held at Nyadanda Polytechnic in Ugunja Sub-County, brought together County Health Management Team (CHMT) and Sub-County Health Management Team (SCHMT) members, health workers, partners, KMTC students, community leaders and residents under the theme, “My Contraception, My Choice, My Future.”
Family planning uptake in Siaya County has risen from approximately 42 per cent to 62 per cent, a development attributed to targeted county health initiatives and partnerships. However, health officials noted that a significant unmet need for family planning services remains, requiring sustained investment, community engagement and access to a range of contraceptive options.
Speaking during the commemoration, Dr. Kennedy Oruenjo, Director of Public Health, who represented the Acting County Executive Committee Member for Health, Prof. Jacqueline Oduol, emphasized the importance of strengthening access to quality reproductive health services and ensuring communities have accurate information to make informed choices.
The celebration also provided an opportunity to bring essential health services closer to the community. Residents accessed contraceptive services, antenatal care, cancer screening, immunization, HIV testing and counselling, linkage to care, SHA registration and fistula screening.
Dr. Oruenjo further highlighted the importance of involving men and partners in family planning discussions and decisions, promoting shared responsibility for contraception and encouraging couples to communicate openly about the timing and spacing of pregnancies.
Pamela Josephine, Health and Reproductive Health Coordinator and RAMCAH, also underscored the need for continued collaboration among health stakeholders, communities and partners to address barriers that limit access to family planning services.
The county's approach emphasizes that family planning extends beyond preventing unintended pregnancies. Appropriate contraception supports healthy birth spacing, improves maternal, newborn and child health outcomes, and enables individuals and families to plan according to their social and economic circumstances.
As Siaya continues to strengthen reproductive health services, stakeholders called for sustained community education, respectful and confidential services, and stronger partnerships to ensure that every individual can access the information and services needed to make informed reproductive health decisions.