Some 5,500-school girls have been impregnated in Narok County since schools closed because of Covid-19, Narok Governor Samuel Tunai has revealed.
Tunai however said the recorded number is only for the girls who have attended antenatal clinics in various hospitals in the county adding it is possible many more pregnant girls have not visited the clinics hence not on record.
The governor spoke today at William Ole Ntimama stadium during an inter-denominational prayer meeting attended by Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit and Narok County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti.
“I am asking church leaders to pray for our girls so that our county will not report a single case of teenage pregnancy. We want our county to be known for positive news that can build our county,” said Tunai.
The county boss asked the county commissioner to organize a meeting with the local chiefs and village elders so that they can map out ways to deal with the vice.
“It is true that our girls face multiple challenges, this is why we want to involve the leadership at the grassroots to see how we can help them during this season when they are at home because of Covid-19.
Archbishop Sapit regretted that teenage pregnancies had soared but encouraged parents to spend quality time with their daughters to guide and counsel them.
“The young girls should be encouraged to go back to school when their colleagues resume learning because they have a bright future ahead of them,” said the Ole Sapit.
He asked the Maasai Community to adhere to the regulations put in place by the Ministry of Health to curb Covid-19 saying the pandemic will clear out if the residents were keen to follow instructions.
“I heard some good news from the World Health Organization (WHO) who announced that if we continue to follow the protocol laid down, it is possible that the pandemic can end in two years’ time,” said Archbishop Sapit.
The today’s prayers were a climax of a three-day prayer and fasting convention organized by the county government and church leaders to pray for the county and avert the spread of Coronavirus.
On Friday, the church leaders congregated at Kilgoris ground (Trans Mara West) for prayers, then proceeded to Suswa grounds in Narok West Sub County on Saturday before concluding in William Ntimama Stadium (Narok North) today.
By Ann Salaton
