More than 700 students at Kaharo Girls High School in Murang’a County have benefited from a menstrual health and mentorship programme organized by alumni of Mount Kenya University (MKU), aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene, combating period poverty, and supporting girls to remain in school.
The outreach programme, held to mark World Menstrual Health Day 2026, brought together MKU alumni, education stakeholders, and community leaders who donated sanitary towels and conducted mentorship sessions on reproductive health, personal development, and career growth.
Speaking during the event, MKU Director of Alumni Relations Virginiah Kinankau said the initiative was designed to address challenges associated with period poverty, which continues to affect the education and well-being of many school-going girls.
“Menstrual health should never be a barrier to a girl’s education. Through this programme, we want to ensure that young girls have the information, confidence, and support they need to remain in school and achieve their dreams,” said Kinankau.
She noted that inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products remains a major challenge for many schoolgirls, contributing to absenteeism, reduced concentration in class, and poor academic performance, and thus enabling easy accessibility for the girls is critical to enhancing their educational outcomes and helping them realize their full potential.
Kaharo Girls High School Principal Veronica Kihonge welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would positively impact the learners’ academic and personal growth.
“We appreciate this initiative and its significance in shaping the academic and career aspirations of our learners. The mentorship and support help empower our students,” said Kihonge.
She added that beyond addressing menstrual health needs, the programme had inspired the learners to remain focused on their education and future careers.
“Such engagements expose our students to role models and valuable life lessons that motivate them to work hard and pursue their ambitions with confidence,” she said.
Each student received two packets of sanitary towels to support menstrual hygiene management and reduce disruptions to learning. The learners were also taken through sessions on self-esteem, responsible decision-making, and career planning.
MKU officials said the outreach forms part of the university’s broader commitment to community service and girl-child empowerment, with plans underway to extend similar programmes to more schools across the country.
By Muoki Charles
