Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has launched a mentorship programme to help the boy child overcome societal challenges.
The Governor’s Mentorship Camp Boys Edition also seeks to instill various skills and knowledge among teenage boys.
Wanga launched the initiative at Wangapala High School in Kabondo constituency alongside Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara.
She said the initiative will help the boys become responsible in future.
Homa Bay is among the counties with high cases of the triple threat- new HIV infections, gender-based violence and adolescent pregnancies.
“We hope to build the teenagers' self esteem and confidence and empower them to make better career choices and other life decisions. This initiative will also help address the triple threat,” Wanga said.
More than 5,000 boys who attended the event received mentorship and guidance from the leaders.
Wanga said the main challenge affecting teenage boys in Homa Bay is early sexual engagement
"We are also saying that it is not wrong to have girlfriends when you’re still a minor and a student,” she said.
She urged partners such as the ChildFund organisation to help end teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence and new HIV infections among adolescents.
“I encourage everyone to participate in this activity to help our boys become important people in the society,” the governor said.
Governor Wanga administration has a scholarship programme dubbed Fins To Swim that sponsors needy students.
Owino urged the students to work hard and avoid short cuts to success.
He also asked teachers to nurture the learners in a friendly way to achieve maximum results.
“You must sacrifice to achieve your goals. Treasures are hidden for people to work hard,” Owino said.
He said education is the only tool that can be used to change the society.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman Dickens Bula praised the initiative saying it will ensure all genders are embraced.
He said for a long time, boys have been left at the backseat and are plunging into societal vices such as drug abuse and defilement.
“The programme equally gives boys a chance to grow as responsible persons in the society,” Bula said.
ChildFund Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer Ezekiel Wamalwa said they support the programme on grounds that it will shape the future life of the boys.
“We’re ready to participate in programmes not only meant to prepare a future for our children but to prepare children for the future,” Wamalwa said.