Homa Bay County is facing a serious shortage of condoms provided by the government and development partners, raising alarms among reproductive health stakeholders. The shortage has persisted for the past three months and is affecting many areas across Kenya.

Steven Oyugi, the South Nyanza Regional Manager for the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, attributed the problem to delays in the procurement process. “The shortage is widespread and has been ongoing for several months,” Oyugi said.

Mercy Kwamboka, President of the Youth Advocacy Council for Health (YACH), warned that the lack of condoms could significantly impact public health. “Without condoms readily available in public places, youths are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior,” Kwamboka explained. “This could lead to a rise in HIV/AIDS infections, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unplanned pregnancies.”

During International Youth Week celebrations, local youths expressed their concerns over the shortage. Reproductive health advocates at the event urged government agencies to address the issue swiftly. Many condom dispensers in public areas are reportedly empty, adding to the urgency of the situation.

Homa Bay County has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in Kenya, with a rate of 19.6 percent according to the Kenya Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment report. In response to the shortage, youths in the county have launched a social media campaign to pressure the government to supply more condoms.

County HIV Coordinator Omondi Obunga urged residents to remain patient, assuring them that the issue will be resolved soon. He also added that while condoms are in short supply, they are working to fix this problem.

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Elector Opar, County Director at the State Department of Youth Affairs, noted ongoing challenges such as the triple threat of new HIV infections, gender-based violence, and mental health issues affecting youths. Zahra Hassan, from Governor Gladys Wanga’s office, highlighted that the county government is running programs aimed at empowering youth, including scholarships and mentorship initiatives.

“The county government is also using digital communication to better reach and support the youth,” Hassan added.