Bomet Central Member of Parliament Richard Kilel has expressed concern over the surging cases of teenage pregnancies in Bomet County.
Kilel was displeased by the increasing number of cases over the last two years where school-going girls are impregnated and forced to drop from school.
Bomet Director of Gender Lily Chepkemoi Bosire in a recent report said last year alone more than 11000 girls were reported to have been impregnated.
The report further indicates this year from January to September 4000 girls were reported to have been impregnated. “It’s unfortunate 11, 000 girls between 11 and 19 years of age got pregnant, the girls were abused either knowingly or not while in rare cases some were drugged in social gatherings such as weddings and birthday parties,” said Ms. Bosire.
Kilel who was speaking at Tumoiyot African Gospel Church in Bomet central during a church service urged parents to be vigilant during this long holiday and be protective of their children.
She also asked education stakeholders to partner and come up with a lasting solution to the huge challenge. “It is absurd that I have learned that many of our young girls both in primary and secondary school level have dropped out of these learning institutions due early pregnancies,” regretted Mr Kilel.
“Stakeholders and partners, it is the high time now we come together and save the girl child from what we are experiencing in the county,” he added.
This revelation has exploded even as the county marked the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence which is an international campaign that commences on 25 November being the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and ends on 10 December every year.
Non-governmental organizations and community-based groups support this civil society-led campaign throughout the county to end Female genital mutilation and early pregnancy which are forms of Violence against Women.
By Lamech Willy
