Written by Protus Simiyu 2012-07-11 18:54:00 Read 741 Times

The acting Bungoma South DC Sylvester Mwangulu together with other officials at the Posta Grounds where they led the residents in marking the World population Day. [PHOTO | Protus Simiyu | West Fm]

Population explosion has been blamed as the major course of rampant domestic conflicts being experienced in Western Province.

Speaking during the marking of the World Population Day at Posta Grounds in Bungoma Town for the Western region, the acting Bungoma South DC Sylvester Mwangulu disclosed that incidents of domestic conflicts for instance, land disputes are overwhelming owing to scramble for the little available land.

Mwangulu warned that the population of the region could double up within a spell of 5 years if necessary population control measures will not be put in place.

The acting DC challenged residents of western counties to embrace essential family planning practices saying the current rate in the region’s population growth poses a threat to development.

“Street children, crime rate, domestic violence incidents and high poverty index are purely as a result of high population” Mwangulu said.

Mwangulu urged the residents to shun polygamy and inheritance of women while terming them as main contributors to high population growth.

The Bungoma South District head nurse Mrs. Florence Matanda disclosed that only 900 people in the entire Bungoma County attend to family planning services every month while pointing that the rate is too low.

The head nurses said in Bungoma South District, official records indicate that only 40 percent of the locals have embraced the need to access reproductive health services.

She encouraged residents of Bungoma County to visit health centers to be sensitized on the importance of observing reproductive health services including control spread of HIV/AIDS for free.

“The benefits of family planning are many ranging from control of unwanted pregnancies, reducing deaths and control of population growth,” she said.

Mrs. Matanda challenged expectant mothers to attend anti-natal health care services and also deliver from recognized health facilities to reduce deaths during delivery.

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