Category: Medical & Health

Over 800 residents of Kitengela town, Kajiado County received free medical services during a medical camp organized by the local Rotary Club.

The residents received a wide range of health services such as cervical and prostate cancer screening, HIV counselling and testing, eye screening, family planning services, dental services, nutrition and urinalysis.

Patients with tuberculosis, diabetes, skin conditions, general ailments such as cold and flu also received treatment free of charge.

According to Judy Maruru, a board member at Kitengela Rotary Club, one of the club’s main objectives is to improve the general health of the community and this can only be achieved through increasing access to health services.

Maruru appealed to the residents to go for early diagnosis and not wait until they have symptoms as it helps to cut on medical costs and save lives.

‘Regular medical checkups will enable early diagnosis of ailments making it easier to treat various ailments and that is why I want to encourage all re
sidents to always visit hospitals for regular checkups,’ Maruru said.

The Rotarian noted that eye and chest infections were among the most common ailments recorded at the free medical camp, and this could be linked to the dry and dusty conditions witnessed in the town environs.

Acute malnutrition among children under the age of five, the elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers was also recorded during the medical camp.

Milka Nabongo, a beneficiary of the camp expressed her gratitude for the free medical camp adding that she had received free medication for a skin condition that has been bothering her for months.

Andrew Kimani, another patient who also received free screening and treatment for hypertension called for regular free medical camps to be held in the area to ensure those who cannot afford treatment in hospitals have access to health care.

‘With the high standards of living, not everyone can afford to go to hospitals or buy prescribed drugs as they are expensive. Free medical camps like this are
a blessing and should be held regularly to save lives,’ said Kimani.

The free medical camp was organized in partnership with Carmelitas Misioneras, Kajiado County Government and St. Theresa Dispensary.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Anglican Church of Kenya Katakwa Diocese Bishop John Okude has urged the county and national governments to increase patrols along the Busia and Malaba Border points to avoid impending mpox catastrophe.

Speaking at Chakol South Ward in Teso South Sub County, Bishop Okude said Kenya should not under estimate the dangers posed by Mpox which is a global pandemic.

‘The two governments should marshall all machinery to come and manage the border instead, noting that the disease is more fatal than Covid-19,’ said Bishop Okude.

The clergy added that, ‘With Democratic Republic of Congo having reported over 450 infected persons, and 55 death cases, Kenya should take precaution measure to mitigate this.’

He challenged resident of Malaba who interact with travelers from those affected countries to be more cautions.

Direct contact can happen during intimate contact. Prolonged face-to-face interactions (such as talking or breathing) and touching objects.

Mpox virus can spread to anyone through contact with objects,
fabrics, and surfaces that have not been disinfected after use by someone with mpox. This includes items like clothing, bedding, towels, fetish gear, or sex toys.

From the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Some people can spread mpox to others from 1 to 4 days before they have symptoms.

Currently, no evidence suggests that people who never have symptoms can spread the virus to someone else. CDC is monitoring the latest information about how mpox spreads.

Mpox can also be spread through direct, close contact with an infected animal, fluids or waste, or getting bitten or scratched.

During activities like hunting, trapping, or processing, it infected wild animals in areas where mpox is endemic.

People are less likely to get mpox from a pet, but it’s possible. Close contact with a pet that is infected, including petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, and sharing sleeping spaces or food, can spread mpox to a person.

To reduce the risk of spreadin
g mpox between animals and people: avoid close contact with an animal that might have mpox.

Those who have mpox should avoid contact with animals, including pets, to prevent spreading the virus to them.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The County Government Nyeri plans to invest heavily in provision of basic services, to enable public easily access affordable primary health care.

Nyeri Governor, Mutahi Kahiga, said lack of comprehensive Primary Health Care (PHC) policy in the country, has dented provision of basic health needs for the public over the years, especially for people living in the rural areas.

Kahiga noted that the glaring gap has hampered efforts in combating other emerging health issues such as non-communicable diseases, both at the National and the County level.

‘The PHC and Primary Care Networks (PCN) Strategy, is therefore aimed at renewing the public health focus in the sector, including strengthening the delivery of primary health care services. The country has witnessed an increased burden of non-communicable diseases and hence proposes several primary healthcare strategic objectives and interventions, with regard to the provision of healthcare services, leadership and governance, drugs and other medical supplies, an
d financing of Primary healthcare delivery.’ said Kahiga during the opening a two-day sensitization workshop on Primary Health Care for CECs at the Sportsman’s Arms hotel in Nanyuki yesterday.

The County boss said under PHC, the County government hopes to attain provision of essential health care services that are accessible to individuals and acceptable to them and at a cost they can afford which is in line with Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

A PCN is an administrative health regime, comprising a primary health care referral facility and several other primary health care spokes, established to enable access to primary health care services for patients, as well as coordinate with other hospitals, to improve the overall operational efficiency of the network.

This enables the provision of proactive, personalized, coordinated and integrated social and health services.

‘My government believes that PHC will build on our vision of ‘A Wealthy County, with, Healthy and Secure people for shared prosperity’. Our
commitments are reflected in our 5-year County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and demonstrated in the achievements we have made over the last seven years in the health sector. To support the PCN roll-out and implementation, the County Government of Nyeri commits to continued systems strengthening in health infrastructure, human resources for health, procurement of medical equipment and supplies and rolling out a robust and integrated electronic medical record system, where all facilities are connected on a digital platform, ‘stated Kahiga.

By strengthening Preventive and Promotive health services through PHC, the County government hopes to among others, shift the health agenda from curative to preventive services and from the hospitals to the household unit.

The ambitious program will start right from the community, dispensaries and health centers and finally end up to the level 4 hospitals.

The Department of health has already developed the ‘Nyeri Primary Care Network Strategy 2024- 2027’ to set up an
d operationalize primary care networks, a strategy, which by extension will play a key role in reversing the spread of non-communicable diseases.

‘My government will ride on our very robust community health system that comprises 251 functional Community Health Units (CHUs) spread across all Sub- locations. We believe that our community health program will provide a platform for the successful roll-out and implementation of the primary health care networks,’ observed the County Boss.

‘With global policy on the transition of HIV/AIDs services funding to local governments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports the Primary Health Care network model as an avenue that will allow greater participation of the communities in the running of health care services through prioritizing their health issues as well as getting involved in the implementation of essential clinical and public health packages.’ He added.

In its Sh.8.7 billion 2024/2025 Fiscal Budget, the County allocated a total of Sh.3 billion t
o the Department of Health, making it the largest beneficiary of the County share.

According to the estimates presented before the County Assembly by Finance and Economic Planning Executive (CECM), Mr. Robert Thuo, out of the amount some Sh. 200 million will go towards supplementing the purchase of drugs and non-pharmaceuticals for the county’s health facilities.

In addition, a total of Sh 53 million was earmarked for renovations, infrastructural works, and

purchase of medical equipment for rural health facilities across the county.

This was in addition to Sh 40 million to kick start the construction of Wamagana Level IV Hospital in Tetu Sub-county.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The County government of Nakuru has embarked on a research to establish the extent of the fluoride in its various water sources to help improve on water quality and safety and address rising cases of bone defects and dental discolouration as a result of high levels of fluoride in water.

Water, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources County Executive Committee Member Dr Nelson Maara said through the research, the County will be able to map out fluoride water belt and be able to identify areas of high concentration of the mineral element fluoride in the county’s water sources mainly boreholes.

Dr. Maara cited a recent study conducted by the County’s water and environment department, which he said revealed that most of the boreholes had fluoride levels way above the 1.5 milligram per litre recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

He said the study established that fluoride levels ranged between 2.15 mg/Litre to as high as 6.5mg/Litre in the fifteen boreholes sampled during the analysis carried o
ut at the water quality testing laboratory.

The CECM said the County was collaborating with the Aquaya Institute under the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to map out the fluoride water belt, an initiative he said targets to establish the levels of the mineral element in various aquifers in Naivasha, Njoro, Nakuru Town West, Gilgil, Nakuru East and Bahati Sub-Counties, which have been singled out as having high concentrations of fluoride in Nakuru. ‘The situation is worse in Naivasha as almost all the boreholes have high concentration of fluoride’, added Maara.

The CECM said the initiative will further promote water quality testing in rural areas and boost the operations of rural water supply systems in outsourcing water quality testing from professional urban laboratories.

He added that the program will also enhance water management through better data collection, the use of advanced technologies, and public awareness campaigns to optimize water use in agriculture and industry and to encourage
sustainable water consumption habits.

Dr Maara elaborated that the County was committed to minimizing the impact of fluoride in all the sub-counties, by ensuring that its Water Service Providers were supplying ‘blended water’ to the residents which is within the recommended levels of fluoride by WHO.

He explained that the water emanating from Dondori and Malewa rivers, which are their main water sources, was being channeled into the main treatment works where it was being blended with water from underground sources for better quality.

Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (Nawassco) sources its water from 25 boreholes; one in Kiondo, eight in Kabatini, three in Nairobi Road, five in Baharini, and eight in Olobanitaa within the county.

Dr Maara said the company serves a population of more than one million during the day and approximately 530,000 people during the night.

On the other hand, the Naivasha Water and Sanitation Company Limited (Naivawasco) gets its raw water from 13 boreholes, located in
six production sites. It serves a population of about 170, 000 out of the 198,444 people, according to the 2019 census.

Scientists say millions of Kenyans are at risk of serious bone defects and dental discolouration as a result of high levels of fluoride in their drinking water.

The risk is made worse by the fact that as the rest of the world moves to treated and piped water systems, more than half of Kenyans (56 per cent) still rely on underground water, which the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) defines as, among others, water fetched from wells and boreholes.

Data from Kenya Society for Fluoride Research further shows that 9 million Kenyans suffer from fluorosis, affecting the teeth and skeleton, depending on the length of time one has been exposed to water with a high concentration of fluoride, and their geographical locations.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The facility will comprise of an operating theatre for caesarean sections, a neonatal high-dependency unit for newborns in need of special care, and a maternity wing designed to offer a secure environment for high-risk expectant and postpartum mothers, as well as child and adolescent mothers.

In 2023, the Maa Trust coordinated fundraising for the construction, equipping, and operationalization of a Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) facility at CHP Talek Health Centre.

The construction of the facility was completed, and it became operational this year through collaboration between a diverse group of partners, including Hemingways Collection, the M-Pesa Foundation, Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation, the John and Jennifer Guistina Family Fund, and the Narok County Government, among others.

In a press statement sent to newsrooms, Hemingways Collection Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Ross Evans announced that Hemingways has committed to a bed-night donation at both Hemingways Nairobi for Sh260 ($2) per
bed night and Hemingways Ol Seki for Sh650 ($5) per bed night to fund the continuing operations of the MNCH.

‘We have so far contributed Sh1.9 million ($14,500) to the facility, and we encourage our guests at Hemingways Ol Seki to visit the Maa Trust Headquarters to learn more about the organisation and the amazing impact they are having in the community and on conservation in the Mara ecosystem,’ said Evans.

He added that the funding will also support doctor salaries, anaesthetists, and nurses to ensure that mothers and babies receive good-quality medical care on an ongoing basis.

The CEO assured of Hemingways support and partnership with Crystal and her team at the Maa Trust.

The facility has been tailor-made to cater for high-risk pregnancies, including those of adolescent mothers. The Maa Trust anticipates that it will take two years for it to reach financial sustainability.

In her remarks, Maa Trust Chief Executive Officer Dr. Crystal Mogensen said the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Cent
re is her personal passion project, borne of the difficulties she experienced while delivering at Maasai Mara.

‘In 2021, I went into labour 10 weeks prematurely here in the Maasai Mara. It was only because of an emergency helicopter evacuation to Nairobi that my son survived. I have also just come through another high-risk pregnancy with my daughter, who arrived safely, only four weeks prematurely,’ Dr. Mogensen recalled.

She added, ‘It is not very often that a wide array of camps, companies, and non-profits are willing to work together on a project, but this health facility has brought unity, with construction and equipping costing Sh66 million.’

The centre is integrated with the Daktari Smart Telemedicine programme, which ensures seamless access to specialist consultations from Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, thus eliminating the need for patients to travel to Nairobi.

Visitors can also buy ‘Mama Kits’, which are packed with essential items for new moms and babies and which are given to all mothers who
deliver at the new maternity facility, encouraging them to deliver their baby in a safe, clinic-based environment rather than at home.

These Mama Kits are on sale at Hemingways Ol Seki’s gift shop and provide further support and impact at MNCH.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The country stands at 89 per cent and is on par with Angola in terms of coverage, ahead of Zimbabwe, which is at 88 per cent, and Cote d’Ivoire at 84 per cent.

Uganda is leading, nearing 100 per cent, Tanzania is at 98 per cent, South Africa at 97 per cent while Mozambique and Zambia are at 90 per cent coverage.

Despite the significant gains in these countries, critical gaps continue to undermine efforts to end AIDS in children.

A new report released by the Global Alliance for Ending AIDS in Children by 2030 shows that an urgent scale-up of HIV services in countries worst affected by the pandemic is required to end AIDS by 2030.

The report, Transforming Vision into Reality, shows that programmes targeting vertical transmission of HIV have, however, averted 4 million infections among children aged 0-14 years old since 2000, but countries are still not on track to reach HIV-related commitments for children and adolescents.

The Global Alliance countries are innovating to overcome barriers and accelerate pro
gress towards ending AIDS in children, but the pace of progress in preventing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths among children has slowed in recent years.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, says that accelerating the delivery and uptake of HIV services for children and adolescents is a moral obligation and a political choice.

‘Twelve countries are demonstrating they have made that choice, but significant challenges remain, and while we have made progress in increasing access for pregnant women to testing and treatment to prevent vertical transmission of HIV, we are still far from closing the paediatric treatment gap,’ he added .

Dr. Tedros emphasised the need to further strengthen the collaboration and reach of the Global Alliance by doing the work with focus, purpose, and solidarity with all affected mothers, children, and adolescents.

UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima said, ‘I applaud the progress that many countries are making in rolling out HIV services to k
eep young women healthy and to protect babies and children from HIV.

She noted that with the medicines and science available today, countries can ensure that all babies are born and remain HIV-free and that all children who are living with HIV get on and stay on treatment.

‘Services for treatment and prevention must be ramped up immediately to ensure that they reach all children everywhere. We cannot rest on our laurels. The death of any child from AIDS-related causes is not only a tragedy but also an outrage. The world can and must keep its promise to end AIDS in children by 2030,’ Byanyima said.

Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, which provides funding for HIV programmes in over 100 countries through a country-led partnership model, said that in the fight against HIV, we must do a much better job for children.

He added that in support of national programmes, they have been procuring paediatric treatment regimens at negotiated prices, investing in
laboratory systems, which is helping ensure exposed infants are rapidly tested, and that those that test positive are quickly initiated on age-appropriate antiretroviral treatment.

‘It is concerning that the treatment gap between adults and children continues to widen. Just 57 per cent of children living with HIV receive life-saving treatment, compared to 77 per cent of adults,’ said UNICEF Associate Director HIV/AIDS, Anurita Bains.

Bains added that without early and effective testing and treatment, HIV remains a persistent threat to the health and well-being of children and adolescents and puts them at risk of death. Therefore, to close the treatment gap, governments must be supported to scale up.

Around 120 000 children aged 0-14 years old became infected with HIV in 2023, with around 77 000 of these new infections occurring in the Global Alliance countries.

In 2023, there were 210 000 new infections globally among young women and girls aged 15-24 years old (130 000 in Global Alliance countries), four
times higher than the 2025 goal set at 50 000.

WHO says that preventing new infections among this age group is critical both to protect the health and wellbeing of young women and to reduce the risk of new infections among children.

Ambassador John N. Nkengasong, United States Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, said, ‘It has been remarkable to see how many more children’s lives can be saved when all stakeholders and partners come together to commit to ending AIDS in children.’

While much progress has been made, notably through the successful introduction of paediatric regimens, Amb. Nkengasong added that large gaps still remain across the paediatric cascade and all must recommit with purpose and innovation to fulfil the promises made by 2025 and beyond.

The Global Alliance for Ending AIDS in Children by 2030 was launched in 2022 by WHO, UNICEF, and UNAIDS to reinvigorate the paediatric HIV agenda.

Twelve member countries are Kenya, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivo
ire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The alliance has now grown, in addition to the United Nations agencies, and includes civil society movements, including the Global Network of People Living with HIV, national governments in the most affected countries, and international partners, including PEPFAR and the Global Fund.

Statistics in Kenya show that the number of children living with HIV in Kenya fell from 180,000 in 2010 to 111,500 in 2020, partly due to improved access to services, including for more pregnant women. However, infection rates among young people (15-24) remain a concern.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The County Government of Nakuru is expanding and equipping its maternity and newborn units to create spaces that promote the provision of quality care and better services for the growing number of expectant mothers.

The devolved unit’s administration hopes that the ongoing improvement of the facilities will help reduce infant and maternal mortality ratios and also offer affordable maternity services.

According to County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Ms Roselyn Mungai enhancement of service delivery at Mother and Baby Units at Bondeni, Mirugi, Rhonda and Langa langa Level 3 hospitals, is also aimed at decongesting the Margaret Kenyatta Mother-Baby Unit at the Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital (NTRH).

Ms Mungai conceded that the Margaret Kenyatta Mother-Baby Unit was surging under the weight of deliveries registering over a thousand births per month adding that they were out to ensure all women were supported by sufficient and skilled health providers at the Level 3 health care facilities.

‘The numbers of expectant mothers seeking services at Margaret Kenyatta Mother-Baby Unit continue rising yet there are a number of facilities that have been improved to offer the same high quality maternity services such as Bondeni, Mirugi, Rhonda and Langa langa hospitals,’ noted the CECM.

Speaking when she made an impromptu visit to the Accident and Emergency Department at NTRH, Ms Mungai assured residents that the health department was also reducing delays in receipt of care by improving urgent and emergency referral systems.

She urged women in the county to use available facilities during childbirth to reduce mortality rates, adding that they had been upgraded to standards that offer good, safe, and respectful maternal services.

The CECM added that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration will continue to invest heavily in the building and rehabilitation of hospitals, to ensure they are capable of delivering topnotch services.

‘Our objectives as a county are to work in line with the Global Sustainable D
evelopment Goals, Vision 2030 and our County Integrated Development plan. Sustainable Development Goal 3 strives to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health for all,’ Ms Mungai said.

She added: ‘We have made a significant milestone towards achieving our vision of ending maternal and neonatal deaths in Nakuru County and we will focus on efforts to decongest the County referral hospital to improve health services.’

The County’s Mother and Baby Units at the Level 3 hospitals currently provide amenities including antenatal and postnatal wards, maternity and child health clinics, laboratories, consultation rooms, specialized clinics, a delivery rooms, nurse stations, offices, kitchens and laundries

Ms Mungai affirmed that as the demand for services at the NTRH continues to rise, the hospital’s leadership is proactively implementing measures to ensure that all service delivery points re
main responsive and efficient.

In this regard, she pledged, the County leadership and the hospital administration were committed to enhancing standards of care to ensure residents get good care.

She underscored the County Government’s commitment to support NTRH to meet the growing needs adding this approach would help monitor service delivery and help identify replicable good practices and success stories.

‘It also provides invaluable first-hand perspectives on the challenges faced in service delivery and their potential solutions across all levels of medical facilities,’ stated the CECM.

She further disclosed that she had constituted a County Health Management Team (CHMT) that is tasked with reviewing the performance of all units by bringing together all units heads to monitor progress of various performance indicators within their programs.

‘The Department of Health managers hold monthly CHMT meetings to stay on track and ensure they meet the targets outlined in their performance contracts. Every unit
head has an opportunity to provide updates on the progress of their performance indicators while also sharing insights and strategies for continued success in the programs,’ the CECM explained.

Ms Mungai noted that the analysis of data and progress reports ensures that the reviews steer the team towards a shared goal of providing quality healthcare services.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents of Homa Bay County have been asked to donate blood to boost the reserves in the county blood bank.

The County Chief Officer of Health, Kevin Osuri, said blood donation was crucial in the fight against maternal mortality.

Osuri said many cases of maternal mortality were caused by excessive haemorrhage, and there was need for sufficient blood reserves in the blood bank to assist in such emergencies.

He, however, commended the county blood bank officials for mobilising residents to donate blood, thus boosting reserves from zero to over 1,000 pints over the past two years.

‘Some expectant mothers become anaemic during delivery and urgently require blood; such a mother is likely to die if she is not transfused,’ Osuri said.

Dr. Osuri spoke at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital during a celebration to mark the recognition of Homa Bay County blood bank as the most improved in Kenya, according to the Kenya Blood Banking Management System, also known as Damu KE.

The Chief Officer said blood is very sign
ificant in supporting human health.

‘Many cases of maternal mortality result from lack of blood. We always strive to ensure blood is available in our health facilities to prevent such deaths,’ Dr. Osuri said.

Osuri hailed the milestones which the health department had made in improving blood donation in the county since early last year.

He said their many blood donors were students in learning institutions. The other sources include churches and volunteers who donate blood for their hospitalized kin.

‘We intensified our efforts in blood donation when we came to office after elections, and this gave us recognition as the most improved blood bank in the last one year.’ Osuri said.

Osuri, who was accompanied by Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer Stephen Stephen Okello, told residents to continue donating blood to enhance the constant supply of blood in the county’s health facilities.

‘I acknowledge the efforts of our people and the county staff to boost blood donation. I urge o
ur people to continue in that spirit to save lives,’ Osuri said.

The Chief Officer demystified allegations that donating blood is harmful to the donor, saying it was absolutely safe.

‘Let our people know that blood is given free of charge and is also donated for free. Therefore, let us continue to donate blood,’ Osuri said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Baringo County football champions Kabarnet Boys High School have qualified for this year’s Rift Valley secondary schools’ regional term two games.

This is after they beat Moi Boys High School Kabartonjo by three goals to Nil in an entertaining final held at the institution’s playgrounds in Kabarnet town on Saturday.

The goals of the ‘titans’ were scored by Emanuel Wanyama, who scored a brace, with Manjir Oyier scoring the other goal.

Kabarnet, who met Kabartonjo for the second time after a two-nil result in Pool A, scored early in the game in the 9th minute before netting two rapid goals in the dying minutes of the game, where Oyier and Wanyama sealed the crucial win in the 78th and 81st minutes, respectively.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Wanaharakati mbalimbali wamekongamana na serikali ya kaunti ya Pokot Magharibi katika wadi ya Alale kusisisitiza kujitolea kwao kukomesha ukeketaji ya wasichana katika eneo hilo.

Ikumbukwe tarehe sita mwezi Februari, dunia nzima iliadhimisha siku ya kimataifa ya kupinga ukeketaji wa watoto wa kike na wanawake, ikilenga kumaliza ukeketaji kwenye malengo lengwa ya ruwaza ya mwaka wa 2030.

Waziri wa Utamaduni, Utalii, Michezo na Vijana katika kaunti Pokot Magharibi Lucky Litole wameungana na washikadau kutoka Uganda katoa usaidizi kwa manusura,manghariba pamoja na watoto ambao wamekosa kupelekwa shuleni na wazazi wao.

Bi. Litole alieleza kuwa imebainika kuwa kuna majasusi walitoroka mjini wa Uganda baada ya kufanya kitendo cha ukeketaji na akasema hatua kali za kisheria zitachukuliwa dhidi yao watakaopatikana.

‘Tumefahamishwa kwamba kuna manghariba ambao bado wanaendeleza kitendo cha ukeketaji na baada ya kutekeleza wanatorokea mjini Uganda ili wasifikiwe na mkono mrefu wa sharia,’ Litole alisema.

Aidha ali
sema pia kuwa serikali ya kaunti Pokot Magharibi ina mpango wa kuanzisha vitua vya uokozi katika maeneo amabayo ukeketaji bado unashuhudiwa ili kuokoa watoto amabao bado wana ari ya kuendelea na masomo.

Aliomba serikali kuu na zile za kaunti kutoa msaada wa chakula kwa vituo hivyo punde tu vinapoanza kazi.

‘Kile tu ningependa kuomba serikali kuu na ile ya kaunti ni kwamba watusaidie katika kutusambazia msaada wa chakula vituo hivyo vikianza kufanya kazi,’ Litole alisistiza.

Bi Litole aliwashukuru wadau nchini Uganda na kuwahakikishia kuwa vyombo vya sheria vina mipango ya kukabiliana na wanaojihusisha na vitendo vya ukeketaji.

Kwa upande wake Mkururgenzi wa Wizara ya Watoto, Philip Opopa,alisema ana imani kuwa wageni kutoka nchi jirani watashirikiana kuhakikisha watoto wa pande zote wanapata huduma bora.

Aidha Opopa amelaani kitendo cha ukeketaji na kuozwa kwa mapema akisema kwamba ni utwelekezaji wa haki za mtoto msichana.

‘Mtoto msichana anapokeketwa na kuozwa mapema unampelekea kuathirika kiafya kwa
sababu mwili wake haujakuwa sawa wa kuweza kuwa mama,’ Opopa alieleza.

Tom Masinde, Meneja wa Programu katika World Vision, alisema viongozi wa Kenya na Uganda pamoja na watendaji ulinzi wa watoto wamekuwa wakifanya kazi pamoja kwa manufaa mabubwa kulinda watoto mpakani.

Masinde alisema hiyo inatokana na kwamba watu wanaoishi Kenya na Uganda wanakabiliwa na tatizo amabalo linawaathiri kwa njia moja au nyingine, mojwapo ni ukeketaji na huku wakilazimika kuingilia kati kuona jinsi ya kulikomesha janga hilo.

‘Jinsi tunavyoweza kushirikisha jamii, jinsi tunavyoweza kushirikisha kile ambacho tayari kinafanya kazi nchini Uganda na pia Kenya,’ alisema Masinde.

Alisema kuwa wataimarisha utekelezaji wa sheria, kuimarisha mawasiliano kuhusu masuala ua usalama, na kuwakamata wahalifu wanaojaribu kutoroka baada ya kufanya uhalifu.

Pia walizindua kampeni ya kurudi shuleni ili watoto wote wapate fursa sawa ya kwenda shule na kuwaweka salama.

Hata hivyo wadau hao walisema Ipo haja ya kushirirkisha wazee wa kimila ili
wawe kama kielelezo kwa lengo la kufikia kipengele cha kuwashirikisha manusura kama mabingwa kwani wanapozungumza na jamii wanazungumza kutokana na uweledi wao wa uzoefu.

‘Tuna pia mikakati ya jinsi tunavyoweza kuwashirikisha wazee wa kimila kwa sababu wazee ndio wasimamizi wa tamaduni na pia kuwashirikisha walionusurika kwa sababu jamii itawasikia vyema,’ alisema Masinde.

Source: Kenya News Agency