Uasin Gishu county assembly members call to an end FGM and SGBV cases contributing to New HIV infections
Hon Patrick Kimeli Chair -The Uasin Gishu County Assembly committee on Labour, Social Welfare, Gender and Children
By James Gitaka
As the World commemorates World AIDS Day,The Uasin Gishu County Assembly committee on Labour, Social Welfare, Gender and Children ,has emphasized the need to end Female genital mutilation that continues to contribute to the New HIV&AIDS infections among young girls forced to undergo the harmful cultural practice .
Speaking to the press The Chairman of the committee who is also the Moi’s Bridge Ward MCA Bishop Patrick Kimeli says , The Uasin Gishu county Assembly will allocate resources aimed at creating public awareness and educating the youth over the rising cases of New HIV infections ,
“As I am talking the HIV infections have increased within our county , I am calling upon Kenyans, especially the youth to know their HIV status in order to protect themselves, the fact that the consistent campaigns against HIV /Aids have declined does not imply that the infections are no longer taking place,”Said Kimeli
He further blamed the youth for the increased cases of HIV infections in the Country and the County at large due to casual unprotected sex.
“Sadly, our youth who are sexually active have neglected the use of condoms, this has largely led to the increased new cases of HIV infections, we have to begin targeted campaigns to educate and save our youth,” he added.
Nominated MCA David Waiganjo insisted on the need to double up efforts aimed at ending FGM and other forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence practices that contribute to the spiking cases of New HIV Infections ,
“During this festive season most of our young boys will be undergoing circumcision ,unfortunately some of our young girls will be forced to undergo the cut , we must sensitize our communities against this practice , this is where most of our daughters contract HIV infections and other complications , we must be vigilant, “Said Waiganjo.
Naomi Serem, another member of the Committee cried foul that youth are now more afraid of getting pregnant rather than contracting HIV/AIDS.
“Our youth are sexually active it has reached a point where they fear being pregnant than being infected by HIV Let’s educate them vigorously and the infections will decline,” said Serem.
The committee has also promised to look into the rising cases of defilement and Sodomy among young girls and Boys especially within the Densely populated estates within Uasin Gishu County, calling upon parents to better their parenting skills during this long holiday.
Uasin Gishu County has been ranked second after Nairobi having recorded the second highest number of Sexual and Gender based Violence cases before during and after the 2022 General Elections ,according to The United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA).
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