Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, wants the Sh940 million annual allocation for sanitary pads to be handled by the Ministry of Public Service, Gender, and Affirmative Action.

Speaking to the media at Parliament Buildings, Orwoba asserted that the Ministry of Education is not in a position to provide females who cannot afford sanitary pads with free pads.

“While I laud the government for allocating Sh940 million for the provision of sanitary pads to school-going girls, I feel that not all the money will be used to purchase the items if the Ministry of Education handles the matter,” she said.

Through a motion in the Senate, Orobwa has been pushing for the free distribution of sanitary pads to females who cannot afford the essential products every menstrual cycle.

She stated that because the funds were included in general provisions under the Ministry of Education, there was a greater chance that they would be misappropriated.

“It is a gender issue and that is why we want the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action to handle it,” Orobwa said.

She requested that Women Representatives oversee the delivery of the supplies.

The Ministry of Public Service, Gender, and Affirmative Action is requested by Orwoba in her Motion to promote the availability of feminine hygiene products in all public schools.

She also requests that the Ministry make sure that all schools are appropriately equipped with bathrooms that provide for privacy, sanitation, and the appropriate disposal of hygiene items.

Orwoba requests that the Ministry make sure that sanitary items are acquired promptly, consistently, and in a manner that respects the dignity of the people who need them.

Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations were launched by Orwoba on May 27 with the introduction of "Glo's Pad Bank."

Every year on May 28, Menstrual Hygiene Day raises awareness of the value of proper menstrual hygiene management on a global scale.

The German NGO WASH United started it in 2013, and it was first noticed in 2014.

In February, the senator sparked controversy in the House by dressing in what seemed to be dirty clothing. She was expelled from the Senate Plenary.

She had attended the session in a white blazer, green top, and matching white trousers with a sporting red stain.

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