This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
Published on July 7, 2020, a video of Bishop David Kipsoi lecturing young girls and boys about early pregnancies has gone viral on social media.
The Bishop, seemingly irked by the situation, advises young girls to be cautious of boys who promise them the world only to leave them pregnant and dumped.
“Wewe msichana, unakua mjinga unatungwa mimba dakika ya mwisho, unaitwa mtumba, unatupwa na yule kijana anajiendea,” he said.
He further advises girls to deny boys sex, as they are the ones approaching them.
“Nani mwenye nguvu? Mwenye kuombwa ama mwenye kuomba, sasa kama wewe msichana ndiye unaombwa, si ukatae,” added the Bishop.
Finally, Bishop Kipsoi advises the girl child to take care of themselves and their sexuality, adding that they will achieve a lot in life.
“Ningependa kuomba mtoto mschana ya kwamba, uweze kujitunza na utunze sexuality yako na utafika mbali maishani,” he said.
His remarks come weeks after a government survey showed that a total of 3,964 girls aged 19 years and below were reported pregnant since March this year.
The survey also revealed that Athi River is the most affected area, while Kalama has the least number of reported pregnancies among girls of school-going age.
Machakos County Children Officer Salome Muthama attributed the increase in unwanted pregnancies to the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen schools closed and carefree guardians.
Authorities have also partly blamed parents and an effective justice system for the crisis.
