The fight against the Triple Threat of HIV, adolescent pregnancy, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) must be treated with the urgency it deserves, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto has said.

First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto said the three challenges remain a serious threat to the health, safety and future of young people in Kenya and require concerted action by the national and county governments, development partners, the private sector and communities.

Speaking during a mentorship and advocacy engagement with adolescents and young people in Homa Bay, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto called for increased investment in prevention, access to youth-friendly health services, child protection and keeping children in school.

“Let us put resources behind our promises. Let us make youth-friendly services accessible. Let us keep our children in school. Let us strengthen protection systems. And let us ensure that no child is left without somewhere safe to turn,” she said.

First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto said her commitment as First Lady and as a mother was to ensure that the challenges facing children and young people are not ignored.

“So let us speak honestly. According to data, Homa Bay carries one of the highest HIV burdens in the country, with prevalence estimated at 11.6 per cent. Adolescent pregnancy remains a serious challenge, while sexual and gender-based violence continues to threaten the safety and future of our children,” she said.

She noted that many cases of violence and abuse against children remain unreported, unspoken and unpunished, calling for stronger systems to protect children and ensure survivors receive the support they need.

“It is the reason I launched the national campaign to end the Triple Threat under Kenya’s Commitment Plan to End the Triple Threat 2023–2030, in partnership with the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD),” she said.

The campaign was initially launched in Meru and Narok. Following progress made in the two counties, its second phase was expanded to Homa Bay, Samburu, West Pokot and Uasin Gishu.

Within six months, more than 220 health facilities across the four counties had joined the initiative, while more than 200 healthcare providers had been trained to offer adolescent-friendly services.

“We came here because our children face real dangers. But let us leave here believing that their future can be different. Protecting a child is not simply about keeping them away from danger. It is about giving them the confidence, support and opportunity to reach the future they deserve,” First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto said.

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga said the Government was implementing health reforms aimed at addressing key challenges affecting mothers and children.

He said increasing attendance at antenatal care clinics remains a priority, with the Government targeting 90 per cent coverage from the current national level of approximately 58 per cent.

Dr. Oluga also urged Kenyans to continue registering for the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that more than 674,000 people in Homa Bay County had registered.

He said SHA had allocated KSh1 billion to support teenage mothers as part of Government efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.

First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto later led a women’s empowerment programme aimed at supporting women to establish sustainable economic enterprises.

She urged women to embrace table banking and collective investment as pathways to financial empowerment and economic independence.

First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto said women should not remain spectators in the economy but should become creators, producers, entrepreneurs, investors and leaders in shaping Kenya’s future.

As part of efforts to support families and strengthen livelihoods in Homa Bay, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto provided 600 bags of rice and 520 bags of beans to families in need.

She also distributed more than 10,000 Hass avocado seedlings and 2,000 day-old chicks to women who had completed training through the Joyful Women programme.

“I encourage our women and families to see agriculture not only as a way of feeding our households, but also as an opportunity to create wealth for future generations,” she said.

Through the poultry initiative, more than 1,000 women have been trained across the poultry value chain, covering areas such as breeds, feeds and housing, as well as leadership, financial management and entrepreneurship.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said women across the country face similar challenges regardless of their political affiliations and called for greater efforts to ensure that women benefit from development opportunities.

“The problem of a woman anywhere in Kenya is the same, regardless of which political party she belongs to. It is time to ensure every woman in Kenya develops,” she said.

Ms. Wanga said Homa Bay County stood to benefit from broad-based cooperation between the national and county governments.

“We as ODM have consciously agreed to work within the broad-based Government because President Ruto decided that no part of this Kenya will be left behind in development,” she said.

Principal Secretary for Children Services Carren Ageng’o commended First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto for championing programmes aimed at empowering women and strengthening families.

She said the initiatives were part of efforts to fulfil the commitments made by President William Ruto to women across the country.

“The programmes you are heading are part of a fulfilment of the promise the President made to the women of Kenya. I am glad for this agenda, and I will continue supporting you and ensuring that all Government programmes aimed at empowering women are implemented,” she said.

First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto said the work of Joyful Women complements the Government’s broader efforts to promote financial inclusion and enterprise development.

“Under the leadership of President William Ruto, financial inclusion and enterprise development remain important pillars of our national transformation agenda,” she said.

She noted that through the Women Enterprise Fund, more than KSh28 billion had been disbursed to over 2.28 million women, while the Hustler Fund had provided more than KSh90 billion to 28 million borrowers across all 47 counties.

First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto also highlighted development projects in Homa Bay County that she said were creating opportunities for women and families.

She cited the 110-unit Affordable Housing Project, which has provided decent homes while creating employment opportunities for local residents, including women’s groups engaged in landscaping.

She also said the Modern Homa Bay Fish Market, investments in the Homa Bay Pier and growth in the blue economy were opening up new opportunities for women in fish trade, value addition and small businesses.