Siaya County registered 25,491 cases of teenage pregnancies between July 2016 and June 2017.
According to a study conducted by office of the governor’s wife, Mrs. Rosella Rasanga,West Sakwa ward in Bondo Sub County registered the highest cases of teenage pregnancies at 848 followed by South East Alego Ward (757), while Ukwala ward had the least (204) forgirls aged 15-19 years.
During the same period, Central Sakwa ward in Bondo Sub County registered 89 teenage pregnancies for girls aged 10-14 years, Ugunja ward recorded 31, while South Ugenya, West Alego and North Sakwa wards recorded a single case each.
Speaking to the press in Bondo on Wednesday, Mrs. Rasanga called for concerted efforts in controlling teenage pregnancies, adding that there would be no future for children in the region, if parents, teachers and the society in general do not fight the vice.
Accompanied by nominated MCA, Tabu Osewe, the governor’s wife urged teachers, parents and members of the public to educate children on the dangers and effects of teenage pregnancies.
She said that the county administration intends to create awareness on the problem and requested parents and guardians to monitor their children closely on daily basis.
On her part, Mrs. Osewe who had earlier addressed a stakeholder’s forum on teenage pregnancies that brought together leaders from the health, education and transport sectors blamed the worrying trend to poor parentage.
She pointed out that the trend can only be reversed if all stakeholders moved to address the root cause of teenage pregnancies.
Last month, Mrs. Rasanga’s office convened a county youth conference in Siaya to find out reasons for rising cases of teenage pregnancies and how the scenario can be reversed.
During the forum, the children blamed parents, teachers and the society at large for failing to educate them on the dangers and effects of teenage pregnancies.
By Mary Oswero
