There is growing concern in Busia County following a sharp rise in cases of early teen pregnancies, HIV/AIDS infections, and sexual gender-based violence (SGBV).
A report by county officials has revealed that hundreds of girls are dropping out of school due to early pregnancies cases, HIV/AIDS infections among teens, and domestic and sexual violence are also on the rise.
This shocking revelation has been made by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) and Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA) members during a student sensitization forum in Busia County dubbed ‘end triple threat’.
Led by the caucus Chairperson, nominated Senator Veronica Maina, the leaders have put on notice men who have continued to take advantage of young girls and vulnerable women.
Senator Maina revealed alarming statistics in the region where 135 new HIV/AIDS infections among adolescents between 10-19 years have been recorded as at 2024, while 2400 adolescents are living with HIV/AIDS in the county.
Additionally, 65,540 teenage pregnancy cases have been reported between 2016-2024, accounting for 28 per cent of all first antenatal care visits in the county within that period. SGBV among adolescents surged from 66 cases in 2016 to 480 in 2024, with 171 pregnancies linked to defilement.
Busia County Health Chief Officer raised concerns over increasing reports of men assaulting women as well as increasing sexual gender based violence especially among school going children, calling on teachers to be on the forefront in fighting this vice.
Teso South Member of Parliament Mercy Emaase has lamented that these vices have been normalized in the region, which is becoming a very sad reality.
Emaase noted with serious concern that young girls are going through acute abuse mostly from their male counterparts, but it’s covered and sometimes ignored by authorities as well as family members.
NSDCC acting CEO Douglas Bosire noted that there is an urgent need to reduce new HIV/AIDS infections in the county since the national government is investing huge funding in HIV/AIDS treatment across the county, funds which could otherwise be used in other projects.
The leaders were speaking at St. John Kwan’gamor High School during a sensitization forum that brought together stakeholders from the KEWOSA, teachers, county government officials, and students from junior and senior schools.
