Bungoma Governor, Kenneth Lusaka has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Intent with Amref Health Africa and Tiko to roll out Youth Empowerment Centres for Health (YEC4H) in all 45 wards.
The initiative seeks to curb teenage pregnancies, HIV infections, and gender-based violence while promoting digital inclusion, mental health, and economic empowerment for young people.
Governor Lusaka said the county will invest in modern, youth-friendly facilities, provide essential health commodities, and absorb Youth Empowerment staff into the county payroll. At least 30 percent of tenders will be reserved for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
Amref will lead on digital infrastructure and technical support, while Tiko will expand health services and recruit additional community health promoters.
Lusaka also announced the creation of a Special Purpose Escrow Account to guarantee transparency in financing, making Bungoma one of the first counties in Africa to co-pay for an output-based health project.
Governor Lusaka adds “This is more than an initiative, it is a flagship for youth empowerment and community transformation. Today marks a bold step in Bungoma’s journey of transformation. By signing this Tripartite Memorandum of Intent (MoI), we are not merely endorsing a document, we are making a solemn pledge to our young people, to our communities, and to future generations. As the County Government, we commit to investing in modern, youth-friendly infrastructure: 45 units, one in every ward, along with essential equipment and commodities, to ensure that every young person in Bungoma has access to dignified and timely healthcare. But buildings, equipment, and commodities alone are not enough. We will strengthen our health workforce through timely recruitment, deployment, and the phased absorption of YEC4H staff into the County payroll. Beyond this, we will promote inclusive procurement at the 45 centres by reserving 30% of tenders for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Through this approach, we seek to address poverty as a root driver of the triple threat challenge : HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, and SGBV, that the YEC4H intervention is designed to confront. We are also committing to ring-fence our future output co-payments through a Special Purpose Escrow Account. This will ensure transparency, accountability, and shared responsibility. As a pioneering output co-paying government, alongside an output donor, for a health project in Africa; we commit to an affordable model that will deliver value for money for the youth of Bungoma, while ensuring that risks are shared equitably across all parties. Above all, this program is more than an initiative. It is a flagship for youth empowerment, for health equity, and for community transformation. It is fully aligned with our County Integrated Development Plan and with the national pathway toward Universal Health Coverage. In partnership with Amref, Tiko, potential impact investors, and potential co-paying output donors, we are creating more than a project, we are shaping a blueprint with the potential to guide other departments, counties and even other nations. This is our moment to act boldly, inclusively, and sustainably. And I am proud to stand here today to reaffirm that Bungoma County is ready.”
Tiko is delighted to partner with Bungoma County and Amref to deliver community led, tech-enabled and youth friendly services to more girls in Kenya.