Galentine Care has launched a new sanitary pad manufacturing plant in Homa Bay County to boost access to affordable menstrual products.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has lauded the launch , describing it as a major milestone in promoting dignity, innovation, and economic empowerment for women and girls in the county.
Speaking during the official opening on Wednesday, January 28, Wanga praised the factory’s founders for their forward-thinking initiative, noting that the project was spearheaded by researcher and Homa Bay resident Peter Omondi McOdida, together with his One Kenya, One World team.
“Today is a proud day for Homa Bay. It is a day that speaks to dignity, innovation, and inclusion, and our shared commitment to building a county that leaves no one behind. Thank you for what you have done here. I am very proud of you, and we will do whatever it takes to make this work,” Wanga said.
The governor revealed that the factory represents an investment of over KSh 60 million and responds to a critical community need, while also positioning Homa Bay as an attractive destination for investors seeking to establish manufacturing industries.
Wanga noted that limited access to sanitary pads in rural areas has contributed to rising teenage pregnancies, school absenteeism, and health risks among girls and women, alongside stigma surrounding menstruation.
“Menstruation is a natural part of life, yet for many girls and women from low-income households, it has been a source of shame, exclusion, and vulnerability,” she said, adding that early school dropout often reduces young women’s chances of securing employment later in life.
She emphasized that the Galentine Care Sanitary Pads Factory will play a vital role in creating jobs for local women, girls, and retailers, while ensuring that adolescents remain in school by improving access to affordable menstrual products.
According to Wanga, the factory is expected to produce high-quality Galentine Care pads that are ultra-thin, leak-free, and soft, offering dignified and comfortable care.
“When sanitary pads are available and affordable, girls attend school consistently and participate with confidence,” she said.
Acknowledging the shortage of pad manufacturing facilities across the country, the governor urged residents, development partners, and donors to source sanitary pads from the Kasgunga factory. She pledged to place an initial order worth KSh 500,000 for donation to schools and called on local leaders, including Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, to support the factory’s sustainability.
“Those who want to distribute pads in this region should place orders from this factory. I will lead by example,” Wanga said.
The launch marks a significant step toward addressing menstrual health challenges in Homa Bay County while advancing women’s economic empowerment and industrial growth at the grassroots level.
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