Beatrice Wadiaga

I had a productive meeting with the executive members of Kibosline SACCO led by Vice Chairperson Mr. Abdi.

The team paid me a courtesy call at my office, where we discussed matters of mutual interest, including strengthening community-based initiatives, promoting financial inclusion and exploring opportunities that can improve the livelihoods of our people.

I appreciate the SACCO leadership for their commitment to empowering members and contributing to the transport, growth and prosperity of our communities plying the Kibos-Carwash route.

Starting the day on a good note. The momentum is great and the journey continues. Next stop: Kirembe Grounds.

Waruakou Dala

Empowering community groups remains key to building sustainable livelihoods and improving household incomes across our wards.

This evening, i met with members of the Okanowach Bodaboda Self Help Group in West Nyakach Ward, Nyakach Sub-county. Our engagements were based on strengthening and supporting their development initiatives and creating more opportunities for economic empowerment.

Self help groups in Kisumu County continue to play an important role in supporting families and driving local economies and it is encouraging to see them taking bold steps towards self-reliance and community development.

Hosted by Hisani Foundation, we joined the people of East Seme Ward for the handover of a shifting machine to the Lung’a Development Women Group at Lung’a Polytechnic.

The initiative marked an important step in empowering women economically and strengthening community development efforts at the grassroots. I commend the foundation for supporting programmes that create opportunities for women and youth across the ward.

When we invest in women empowerment, they invest in stronger families, better livelihoods and a brighter future for all.

Strong communities are built when women are empowered, supported and given spaces to uplift one another.

I had the pleasure of joining members of the Awasi Grandmothers Support Group and the Awasi Widows Support Group in Awasi-Onjiko Ward, Nyando Sub-county, for an engaging, inspiring interaction centred on unity, empowerment and community welfare.

The strength, resilience and dedication shown by these women continue to inspire many within our society. As mothers, caregivers and community builders, they remain at the heart of shaping stable families and stronger communities despite the challenges they face.

I commend the groups for standing together and supporting one another through shared purpose and solidarity. Together, we will continue championing dignity, inclusion and empowerment for all women across our communities.

Yesterday at Kudho Senior School in Railways Ward, Kisumu Central Sub-county, joined by the team from Uzima University, Kisumu, we held impactful conversations with learners on education, discipline and believing in their potential.

In marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day, we distributed dignity towels to support our girls and remind them that menstruation should never be a barrier to education. Indeed a girl who stays in school today becomes a stronger and educated woman tomorrow.

Education remains the foundation of opportunity and every investment we make in our learners is an investment in the future of our community.

Hosted by the South West Nyakach Ward Youth Organization, we visited Oboch Comprehensive School, in South West Nyakach Ward, Nyakach Sub-county, where we held meaningful engagement with learners and teachers on education matters, focusing on strengthening support systems that keep children in school and improve learning outcomes.

As part of the World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 commemorations, we also led the distribution of dignity packs to support girls in managing their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.

We remain committed to promoting education and ensuring every child has the support they need to succeed.

Creating a period-friendly world begins with breaking the silence, challenging stigma, and ensuring that every girl and woman can manage menstruation with dignity and confidence.

Today, during the commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, we joined our Gender Sector Working Group, Kisumu CSOs and other stakeholders at the 4th Annual Nyalenda Period Festival held at the Nyalenda Health & Wellness Centre hosted by Dreams Redefined Organization in Kisumu County.

The engagement focused on advancing menstrual health awareness, improving sanitation, and strengthening access to menstrual health support for girls and women across our communities.

As the Department of Gender and Youth Affairs we are commitment to creating safe, informed, and supportive spaces where girls can learn, grow, and thrive without fear, shame, or discrimination.

We were honoured to join the Make Me Smile Kenya team at Mayenya Community Center in Kolwa East during the commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 under the theme “Together for a .”

The engagement brought together students from Okago and Oyola schools, alongside youth from the organisation's vocational training center, for menstrual hygiene sensitization and sanitary towels distribution.

We supported the initiative through donation of dignity packs for 152 students and youths, with conversations aimed at breaking stigma around menstrual health and promoting the wellbeing, confidence, and education of our girls.

No girl should miss opportunities because of her period. We must continue creating safe, supportive and informed spaces for girls and young women in our communities.