Siaya County is making encouraging strides toward fully implementing the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Act, and NYECBO was privileged to be part of the recent county review meeting. County leaders, Members of the County Assembly serving on the Health Committee, development partners and local civil society representatives met to assess progress and agree next steps for translating the law from paper into services that reach families and young people where they live.
Partners urge practical budgeting for impact.
A major recommendation from partners during the meeting was a practical one: allocate a larger proportion of implementation budgets to essential commodities (medical supplies, contraceptives, medications and equipment) rather than over-investing in sensitization activities alone. Partners argued that while awareness and community outreach remain important, the immediate barrier to service uptake for adolescents and young people (AYP) is often the lack of commodities and youth‑friendly service points. Prioritizing commodities will ensure that when young people seek care, services and supplies are available a step that will translate awareness into action and health outcomes.
Youth-friendly services at the facilities.
The partners called for deliberate investments in youth-friendly services: trained staff, private and welcoming service spaces, reliable supply of commodities, and flexible service hours. When these elements come together, adolescents and young people are far more likely to access and continue using sexual and reproductive health services — reducing unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and delayed care for maternal or newborn complications.
A united call to finish the regulations
County leaders asked development partners and civil society organizations to come together to support the finalization of Draft 2 of the regulations and guidelines. Their request is practical and urgent: technical and financial support will speed the approval process, help operationalize the Act, and unlock county and partner funding for essential commodities and service strengthening.
It was noted with pride that Siaya has made noteworthy gains in RMNCAH indicators and in building the structures needed for sustainable service delivery. The county’s commitment to the Act and willingness to engage partners signals a promising pathway for other counties to follow.
NYECBO remains committed to working alongside county health leaders, MCAs, partners and community groups in Siaya. We will continue to advocate for:
Timely finalisation and approval of the RMNCAH regulations and guidelines.
Budget allocations that prioritise commodities and youth-friendly service delivery.
Joint partner support to close technical and financial gaps during implementation.
Community engagement that complements supply-side investments so AYP can both know about and access services.
Siaya County is on the right track. With the draft regulations nearing completion and clear calls from partners to invest where it matters most, the RMNCAH Act can become a living instrument that significantly improves health outcomes for mothers, newborns, children and adolescents. NYECBO will keep pushing for equitable, youth-friendly services so every young person in Siaya can access the care they need. #NYECBOVoices. #NyimineNyaloNyimeMalo.
