Authorities in Teso North have raised a red flag over increased cases of teenage pregnancies in the sub county.
Speaking on Tuesday during the crowning of the new Moding Location Chief, Gilbert Odera Omudeck at Kapesur area, the area Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Justus Musau, warned perpetrators, parents and local administrators against abetting the vice.
“Our Young girls are being impregnated at an alarming rate. I am directing chiefs and their assistants to work with religious leaders and other stakeholders to find out ways of ending the menace which is now a problem not only in Teso but across the country,” Musau stated.
The DCC said the government is not ready to watch old men take advantage of the innocence of young girls some aged as young as ten years, impregnate them and force them to drop out of school.
He also cautioned the local administrators against resolving such cases in kangaroo courts, saying all culprits should be prosecuted in the courts of law.
Musau appealed to parents across the sub county to be at the forefront in reporting such cases, noting that the future of their children lies in their hands hence they should not allow irresponsible men prey and destroy it.
The Sub County Police Commander (SCPC), Wilson Muraya warned the public that his officers will be on the watch ready to arrest and prosecute offenders.
“The pregnancy rate among teenage girls is alarming. Where did the rain start beating us as men? The moment that young girl’s future is destroyed, be rest assured we won’t have a future generation,”he said.
Chief Omudeck who was Kolait Sub Location Assistant chief takes over Moding leadership from retired Chief Wycliffe Omoding.
According to Kenya Health Information System-Teso North records 1438 girls aged 15 to 19 were impregnated in 2018 with 27 of those aged 10- to 14 falling victims too.
In 2019, 897 girls aged 15 to 19 years were victims with 23 falling between the ages of 10 to 14 years.
By Melechezedeck Ejakait
