At least 200 Youth enlisted in the National Hygiene (Kazi Mtaani) Programe in Kisii County have been sensitized on reproductive health matters ahead of the International Youth Day to be celebrated on Wednesday this week.
The sensitization exercise held at Nyanchwa area in the outskirts of Kisii town was one of the activities carried out during the youth week as well as entrepreneurship, global connectivity by use of the internet and environmental matters.
Addressing the press after the exercise on Monday, Janet Ongoro, a Reproductive Health Nurse at Kisii Teaching and Referral hospital said skills on reproductive health was a matter of urgency for the youth during this Covid19 pandemic.
She said the youth received knowledge on protection against Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV/Aids, unwanted pregnancies, seeking for immediate treatment and reporting after rape incidents.
She said Kazi Mataani had not only offered a source of living for a portion of the young population, but had pulled them from idleness which leads to bad behavior including crime.
The County Youth Director, Daniel Kirui said more than 3,700 youths in the county were engaged in the Kazi Mtaani program in the county.
Kirui described challenges for the county youth who comprise 30% of the 1.2 m county population as unemployment, underpayment for skills acquired, teenage pregnancies and layoffs from work during the pandemic.
He said all the informal settlements of Nubia, Daraja Mbili, Mwembe and Jogoo areas were represented in the preparations for the international youth day whose theme is “youth engagement for global action.”
One of the youths, Wycliffe Buluma applauded Kazi Mtaani, saying it enabled him to be equipped with life skills besides earning an income.
On her part, Dolphine Kemunto said she was now aware of the importance of speaking out when faced with challenges of reproductive health, and how to assist those caught up with unwanted pregnancies or sexual abuse.
David Charles who is a youth supervisor said early pregnancy was mainly due to early sex among the youth and urged youths to seek protective gear from health facilities.
The Kitutu Central Community Policing Chairman, Paul Matoya applauded physical engagement of the youth, saying it helped reduce crime including suicide, burglary, robbery and muggings.
By Clinton Nyamumbo/Jane Naitore
