November 20, 2018 www.mygov.go.ke NEWSFOCUS | 15 Limited options hampering male contraception usage Most family planning methods in the market are designed for women, says National Council for Population and Development boss BY PAULINE IKANDA KNA-KITALE T he National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) has urged actors in the health sector to introduce options that encourage men to participate in family planning. Regional Coordinator Moses Ouma said contraception use was unpopular among from men due to the lack of family planning options. Currently most of family planning methods in the market are designed for women. Ouma noted that a 2013 NCPD survey of male involvement in family planning showed that men shied from openly supporting family planning measures due to limited options for them. Ouma was speaking in Kitale town during the launch of family planning programme dubbed costed Implementation Plan-Family planning and a document guiding the implementation. He said the use of modern contraceptives in Trans Nzoia was still at 56% due to opposition from men and political pronouncement where politicians seek more votes by encouraging residents to give birth to more children. Poor family planning is to an increasing leading population that may not be supported by the available resources. According to Ouma, Trans Nzoia has over 1.1 million people with a poverty index of 47.4%. He said that out of this number, 47% are below 15 years and therefore dependent population that can’t contribute anything towards the economy of the nation. He said the ever increasing and unplanned population was stretching available resources. “We want a situation where the population transitions 56% Rate of use of modern contraceptives in Trans Nzoia, due to opposition from men and political pronouncements from being big at the lower base to being big at the middle,” he said. The Regional coordinator disclosed that by 2020 counties will be procuring their own commodities to help in family planning asking counties to show commitment in support of the initiative. He pointed out that the programme will also assist in addressing teenage pregnancy in Trans Nzoia where youth who cannot abstain are urged to use contraceptives. According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) of 2014 Trans Nzoia is ranked at position eight countrywide with teenage pregnancy standing at 23%. Ouma said social media and parental negligence are some of the main driving factors towards increasing teenage pregnancies that must be addressed to ensure that a sustainable population is raised. He urged the county government of Trans Nzoia, having adopted the Costed Implementation Plan on Family planning, to develop youth-friendly services where teenagers can get access to services on the use of contraceptives. He said lack of youthfriendly services was discouraging the majority of youth who are sexually active in seeking such services a problem that is increasing teenage pregnancies. Ouma disclosed that only 7% of facilities nationally provide youthfriendly services for youth on family planning with the majority of private facilities providing those services. He urged partners such as Ipas, DSW, Marie stopes among others to assist in addressing teenage pregnancy. The governor’s wife Lydia Khaemba asked the government to take stern measures that will bring down figures on teenage pregnancy. We want a situation where the population transitions from being big at the lower base to being big at the middle - Moses Ouma EAST AFRICAN PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY LTD. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR LEASE OF OFFICE SPACE The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is a State agency established under the Energy Act 2006. The Commission is the sector regulator responsible for economic and technical regulation of Electric Power, Renewable Energy and Downstream Petroleum sub-sectors. ERC hereby invites Expression of interest(EOI) from property owners or authorized Estate agents for the lease of office space in Eldoret and Kisumu with the following minimum specifications; The desired space should: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Have an approximate floor area of 1,000-1,300 Square feet; Be located in the CBD or commercial center of the respective town preferably with proximity to other government offices/agencies; Be in a quiet and secure environment with 24 hr security and surveillance system; Be connected to main water and sewer systems with adequate reservoir; Be connected to a main electricity supply and must have power backup generator; Have adequate, fully fitted gender sensitive washrooms; Have adequate natural lighting and ventilation; Be well served with adequate public roads for ease of access; Have adequate and reliable lifts /elevators if the space is on a floor higher than the ground floor; Be friendly to People living with Disability (PWD-friendly); Have adequate firefighting equipment; and Have provision of parking spaces for vehicles. An adequately detailed and signed ‘EOI’ document should be sent by registered mail or deposited at the ERC tender Box Located at 1st floor, Eagle Africa Centre, Upper hill, Nairobi; so as to reach the undersigned on or before 30th November 2018 at 11.30am The Director General Eagle Africa Centre, Longonot Road, Upperhill, Energy regulatory commission P.O. BOX 42681-00100 Nairobi 6. 7. EAPCC/OT/178/2018 EAPCC/OT/179/2018 3. 4. 5. EAPCC/OT/175/2018 EAPCC/OT/176/2018 EAPCC/OT/177/2018 TENDER NO. 1. 2. INVITATION TO TENDER The following invitation to tender is available in our Website and IFMIS Portal. S/N DESCRIPTION EAPCC/DISP/173/2018 EAPCC/PQ/174/2 018 Disposal of Motor Vehicles Prequalification ofSuppliers for Supply and Delivery of Clinker Outsourcing of Bissil Quarry Mining Operations ( Second Supplier) Provision of Insurance Brokerage Services - 2019/2020 Outsourcing of Kunkur quarry Mining operations(Re-tender) Hire of Transport services from Bissil quarry to the factory in Athi river(Second transporter) Hire of Transport services from Kabini quarry to the factory in Athi river(Second transporter) CLOSING DATE 23rd November 2018 30th November 2018 30th November 2018 14th December 2018 30th November 2018 30th November 2018 30th November 2018 Detailed information and various Addenda on the above tenders are available on the company website, www.eastafricanportland.com or IFMIS portal (https://supplier.treasury.go.ke) The Managing Director East African Portland Cement Company Ltd P.O. Box 20-00204, Off Namanga Road Athi River, Kenya, Tel +254 709 855 000 Email: customercare@eapcc.co.ke Website: www.eastafricanportland.com
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