NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 16 – Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has warned that she will not support any national budget that fails to allocate funds for sanitary towels, insisting that girls’ dignity, education and health must be treated as core priorities in Kenya’s development agenda.
Speaking during the flag-off of a sanitary towel distribution at Kiamaina Primary School on Friday, January 16, the legislator said the issue is not symbolic but a structural barrier that continues to undermine girls’ academic progress.
“This year, we shall not pass the budget unless it includes a clear and deliberate allocation for sanitary towels,” she declared.
The initiative, launched under the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAF), will supply sanitary towels to all 200 Junior Secondary Schools in Kirinyaga County.
A total of 88,900 packets, equivalent to 1,108 bales, will be distributed to 19,725 girls, with each learner receiving four packets to support school attendance and hygiene.
“If a girl misses school because of sanitary pads, then how much more will she miss in terms of growth, confidence and opportunity?” she posed.
She added that recent budget cuts had slowed girls’ empowerment programmes, warning that leaders must treat sanitary towels as essential education input.
“County Members of Parliament must prioritize sanitary towels. This cannot be accidental or symbolic. It must be intentional.”
Senator Kamau Murang’o, Embu Senator aspirant Billy Mwangi and several local leaders attended the event.
Later at the Tupange Kesho Youth Summit, Njeri Maina turned her focus to young people, urging them to move beyond outrage and organise for real political influence.
Calling Gen Zs “the most informed generation Kenya has ever produced,” she said Kenya’s systems have historically failed young people by locking them out of economic opportunity and leadership.
“You are told you are the leaders of tomorrow, but today you are locked out. You are told to respect the system when the system does not respect you,” she said.
She urged the youth to channel their dissent into structured organising, cooperative movements and economic empowerment.
“Anger without direction burns out. Silence kills dreams. Outrage alone is not enough. Economic power is the root of power.”
The Woman Rep reminded the audience that she had personally defended and represented over 500 Gen Zs arrested during national protests last year.
“I did not choose tribe or age. What mattered to me is that they were young people. I will continue defending and standing for young people without discrimination.”
As part of the empowerment programme, Njeri Maina issued cheques worth KSh100,000 to KSh300,000 per youth group to support business ventures across Kirinyaga. She also highlighted a KSh5.8 million TVET scholarship programme funded in partnership with banks to equip youths with digital and technical skills.
In her closing remarks, she challenged young people to take ownership of Kenya’s political and economic future.
“You do not need permission to matter. You do not need validation to lead. You are not spectators unless you allow yourselves to be,” she said, urging youths to register as voters and use social media to hold leaders accountable.
“Let us build together. Let us canvass. Let us take over digital platforms,” she added. “A generation that is informed, empowered, united and fearless cannot be stopped.”
