Homa Bay: County to Be Supplied with 50k Condoms as It Hosts Devolution Conference
- Homa Bay County is playing host to the Devolution Conference 2025, which will be held between August 12 and 15
- Attendees are trooping in from across various regions, prompting the decision by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) to distribute condoms
- Homa Bay is known to be one of the counties with the highest HIV transmission rate, with a prevalence of over 15%
Measures have been put in place to ensure the success and safety of the upcoming Devolution Conference in Homa Bay for all attendees.
Source: Facebook
With a likely influx of travellers and lots of activities in the course of the conference, the supply of condoms has been identified among the strategic plans.
Why condoms are being supplied in Homa Bay County
Homa Bay county is known to be one of the counties with high HIV prevalence, with a rate of over 15%.
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In collaboration with the county government, the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) has announced that 10,000 condoms would be supplied every day to curb the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
The wares will be supplied at select points, including in accommodations and venues.
The supply started on Sunday, August 10, as revellers gathered for a concert at the Ruma National Park.
By Monday morning, there was evidence that the protectives had been used and the remains scattered in open fields.
NSDCC's regional coordinator, Stephen Oyugi, stated that the challenge lies in how disposals are conducted.
“They were distributed in open grounds and used in what are colloquially known as ‘green lodges’. While we support condom use, we must now address the issue of environmentally sound disposal,” NTV quoted Oyugi as saying.
“This was a unique scenario. Given that it is a park, we observed evidence of intimate activity in hidden corners. The presence of used condoms confirms that the ‘green lodge’ phenomenon is very much alive,” he added.
Source: Twitter
Why Mutula Kilonzo apologised to Homa Bay residents
In other news, Makueni governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior recently found himself on the receiving end after his remarks regarding the HIV prevalence in Homa Bay.
While sending off a delegation to the Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) games hosted in Homa Bay, Kilonzo made what he described as a cautionary statement to young people from Makueni.
His attempt at humour during the speech sparked swift backlash, as he appeared to imply that HIV was so commonplace in Homa Bay that locals casually asked others to pick up their antiretroviral medication.
Although Kilonzo insisted he was speaking from a parental perspective out of concern for youth welfare, critics condemned the remarks as tactless and harmful.
Why Mutula Kilonzo was accused
Many accused him of reinforcing negative stereotypes and undermining efforts to combat HIV-related stigma.
The comments ignited widespread criticism, with leaders and residents of Homa Bay denouncing them as offensive and unnecessary.
Social media platforms were flooded with angry responses, accusing the Makueni governor of fueling stigma rather than promoting awareness.
Locals emphasised that, despite the region’s high HIV rates, significant strides have been made to address the issue and reduce discrimination.
In response to the growing backlash, Mutula issued a formal apology to Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, who accepted it graciously, and welcomed him warmly to the Nyanza region county.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
