This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
On June 24, 2020, the government refuted alarming numbers of reported teenage pregnancies in the country, saying they are exaggerated and do not reflect the actual statistics.
Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Mercy Mwangangi admitted that there was an increase of cases of domestic abuse and teenage pregnancies during the partial lockdown in the past three months.
According to Dr. Mwangangi, the actual number of pregnant teenagers is approximately a third of the reported cases.
She attributed the inaccurate data to teenage mothers presenting themselves late in clinics, when the pregnancy is advanced, and the data showcased was extrapolated from the number of antenatal clinic visits which did not represent the numeric count of teenagers presenting to the clinic.
Dr. Mwangangi emphasized the need for sexual and reproductive health needs psychosocial support services and protection from Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Health Director General Patrick Amoth and Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha had previously dismissed the reported number of teenage pregnancies during the Covid-19 period as exaggerated and obnoxious, respectively.
