This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has denied claims that his county recorded over 3900 teenage pregnancies within five months.
According to data released on June 16, 2020, the number of teenage pregnancies in the county skyrocketed from mid-March 2020.
However, Governor Mutua clarified that the figure of 4000 represented the number of times pregnant teenagers visited health facilities in the county, not the actual number of pregnancies.
Despite the clarification, Governor Mutua acknowledged that the number of teenage pregnancies in the country was a worrying trend and called for action against those responsible.
He emphasized that teenage pregnancy was unacceptable and urged communities to engage in sexual education classes to prevent such cases.
"You cannot have girls excluded from education while the boys who made them pregnant are in class improving their chances of success in life," Governor Mutua said.
He also called on relevant authorities to take action against men who defile young girls and impregnate them, while asking parents to counsel their sons who befriend girls.
