Kitui County Commissioner Thomas Sankei has called on all teen mothers to report to school as the learning resumption calendar starts for a new year to ensure 100% education transition is achieved.
Speaking on Monday at his Kitui office, Sankei said that the multi-sectoral teamwork has borne tangible fruits during the door to door campaign to realise the county’s 98% transition rate in the education sector.
“Following the roll out of 100 per cent transition policy to complement Free Day Secondary School, primary to secondary transition rates have increased,” said Sankei.
Sankei said that some 1,000 girls in Kitui County who got pregnant after schools were closed due to Covid-19 in March last year have resumed studies after giving birth.
In August 2020, a report by Kitui children department showed that the county had recorded 3, 207 teen pregnancies of ages 10-19 years following the forced school break.
“We have established that most have since delivered and are back to school. We expected that those who are still in advanced stages of pregnancy will follow suit after delivering,” noted the County Commissioner.
Sankei also affirmed that authorities were still tracking down culprits responsible for the teen pregnancies to necessitate prosecution.
He said through concerted efforts between school administrations and the government the whereabouts of all learners across Kitui could be accounted for.
The administrator called for pro-active approach to issues affecting the citizens touching on the issuance of birth certificates adding that delay of services is a major contributor to corruption among civil servants.
He called on the civil servants to do self-evaluation and compare how they fared on the eyes of wananchi they serve. “This evaluation will help you adhere to work ethics and improve on performance,” he said.
The County Commissioner cautioned officers engaged in corruption to shun the vice.
Commenting on the Big Four Agenda, Sankei said the initiative is geared towards youth empowerment, creation of jobs and help the country achieve its industrialisation status by 2030.
On radicalization of the youth to join terror groups, the County Commissioner urged Nyumba Kumi to strengthen screening mechanisms of all visitors within their areas of jurisdiction and report any suspicious cases to the authorities for action.
‘All reported cases will be dealt with confidentially. Let all Nyumba Kumi committees swing into action to ensure Kitui is safe and not a transit zone for rogue elements,’ cautioned Sankei.
By Yobesh Onwong’a
