Kenya to address teenage school girl pregnancy

Kenyan Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed addressed a ministry level meeting Friday to discuss ways and implement policies to stop teenage pregnancies as it is affecting learners in the country’s school system.

A recent report revealed Narok, Kilifi, Meru, Busia, Bungoma, Migori, Nairobi and Homa Bay counties are the most affected in the teenage pregnancy issue. These are mostly arid and semi arid land counties. About 60 percent of the cases were reported from Narok and Kilifi.

Amina Mohamed asked the directors to survey such candidates who delivered babies on and before examination in 2018. This would help the government in developing interventions.

The report added Nairobi has been identified with 60 percent teenage pregnancies among schoolgoing children and youth operating motorcycles mainly lure young girls for rides in exchange of sex. Such incidences have resulted with school dropouts or poor attendance too.

Education director Moses Karati said a final report is yet to be submitted by the sub-county education chiefs and thereafter the exact number could be officially revealed.

Some of the victims, traced and reported by local media, narrated their stories and talked to continue their studies as not to give up as thought earlier. A candidate of Maryani Primary School, pregnant by six months during the exam, said she has support of her teachers and parents to continue the education.

A 15-year-old school girl at Kadzandani Primary School in Kilifi said an imam, now into hiding since knowing about her pregnancy, made her pregnant.