NCDC to distribute 50K condoms at Devolution Conference
By William Muthama, August 12, 2025The National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NCDC) has announced plans to distribute 50,000 condoms during the ongoing Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County as part of intensified efforts to curb the spread of HIV.
Speaking on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Stephen Oyugi, the council’s regional coordinator, explained the rationale behind the initiative.
“Since people are interacting, we needed to provide prevention for HIV,” he said, referring to the various social activities taking place during the conference, including the Rhone Marathon and related events that attract large crowds.
Oyugi revealed that the council had already distributed 10,000 condoms during the marathon’s music concert and youth dialogues held in the days leading up to the conference.
“We intend to distribute 10,000 condoms every day. We have enough stock, and therefore the event is well covered in terms of condom provision,” he added.
Condoms are being made available at strategic points, including accommodation centres and the main conference pavilion, to ensure easy access for delegates and residents.
Environmental concerns
Despite the high uptake, the council is grappling with the challenge of disposing of used condoms responsibly. Oyugi highlighted the “Green Lodge” phenomenon, a term used locally to describe informal meeting spots in secluded outdoor areas.
“The Green Lodge was a big phenomenon here, and therefore used condoms are strewn everywhere. That is the biggest challenge we are having right now, and we have to dispose of these used condoms in a manner that is environmentally friendly,” he said.
Homa Bay County continues to battle a high HIV prevalence rate of 10.6 per cent, one of the highest in Kenya.
The NCDC’s condom distribution campaign is part of broader efforts to encourage safer sexual practices and reduce new infections in the region.