KASGUNGA, 29th January –Homa Bay County has welcomed its first-ever sanitary pad manufacturing plant in a landmark project that seeks to dignify women.
The Galentine Care Sanitary Pads Factory, officially inaugurated on Wednesday in Kasgunga, Suba North Constituency, marked a significant step toward menstrual equity and economic self-sufficiency.
The social enterprise that will produce the ‘Galentine Care Pad,’ an ultra-thin, leak-free product designed to provide reliable and affordable menstrual care directly to the local market.
Presiding over the launch, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga hailed the project as a transformative investment.
“This is a dual victory for our community’s health and our economic ambition. This facility directly addresses a vital health component that affects our women” asserted Wanga.
Wanga noted that the initiative aims at creating jobs, driving growth and upholding the dignity of the female population.
The Founder Peter Omondi McOdida emphasized the mission-driven heart of the initiative.
“Our core goal is simple, to ensure no woman or girl is ever limited by the lack of a quality sanitary pad,” McOdida stated.
“Local production means greater affordability and accessibility. We are not just making pads; we are crafting a sustainable local solution to a national challenge, right here in Kasgunga.”
For the local community, the factory’s location is a point of practical benefit. Area Member of Parliament for Suba North, Millie Mabona, underscored its direct impact.
“For generations, the high cost and poor access to menstrual products have been a silent burden for our women and girls. This factory is a direct answer to their struggle,” Mabona said.
The Suba North MP further noted that the factory stands as a beacon of empowerment for tangible opportunities.
The factory is set to create immediate employment and stimulate supporting local businesses by reducing reliance on imported goods.
The project also aligns with Kenya’s broader push for local manufacturing and with operations beginning immediately, affordable, locally-made Galentine Care pads are expected to reach shelves across Homa Bay and neighbouring counties within weeks.
