Community health promoters in Kisumu have been enlisted in a renewed campaign to combat rising cases of new HIV infections, teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence, collectively referred to as the triple threat.
The initiative, led by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) in partnership with Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, saw dozens of community health promoters (CHPs) trained and equipped to strengthen prevention efforts at the grassroots level.
Speaking during a sensitisation forum at Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall in Kisumu on Friday, NSDCC Nyanza Regional Coordinator Steve Oyugi said the three challenges continue to undermine education and socio-economic progress among adolescents and young people in the area.
“The triple threat entails new HIV infections among adolescents and young people, mistimed or teenage pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence. These issues are highly disruptive because they interfere with the education process and negate government efforts towards achieving 100 per cent transition in schools,” said Oyugi.
Oyugi said community health promoters remain critical in identifying and responding to cases that often go unreported within communities.
“These are people who interact closely with households and can easily identify incidents of gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies and other cases that may not have come to light. They are therefore important agents of change,” he said.
He expressed concern that Kisumu continues to record the highest HIV prevalence rate in the country at slightly above 11 per cent, despite ongoing interventions.
According to Oyugi, the county is also experiencing a growing youthful population, with about 61 per cent of residents aged 24 years and below, compared to the national average of 59 per cent.
“This demographic reality means we must intensify efforts to protect young people from the triple threat,” he said.
Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron said the partnership with the council was aimed at strengthening community-level responses through health promoters who work directly with households.
“The newly acquired HIV infections are still high in Kisumu. Gender-based violence is also a major concern, while early pregnancies among young people remain prevalent. These are issues that require urgent attention,” said Oron.
He described CHPs as frontline healthcare workers whose role extends beyond addressing the triple threat to supporting disease surveillance, maternal health and public health interventions.
“They are the level one health workers who work very closely with communities. Without them, it will be difficult to tackle many of the health challenges we face,” he said.
During the event, the MP donated protective gear, including gumboots and umbrellas, to the health promoters to support their work in villages and hard-to-reach areas.
The leaders urged community members to work closely with health promoters in reporting and preventing cases of HIV infection, gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies.
By Chris Mahandara
