This archive report was first published on 7 August 2020.
Published on August 7, 2020, a community awareness campaign was held in Kitui to address the rising number of teen pregnancies in the county.
According to Augustine Nyamai, the Kitui Children Officer, parental laxity, lengthy school closures, and poverty have exposed the girl-child to pedophiles.
"We suspect that there could be more unreported cases within the community that has not been documented," Nyamai said.
The Children Officer also noted that the loss of livelihoods, particularly in low-income households, has forced some children into income-generating activities to support their families' survival.
"Lengthy school closure has stopped the provision of school meals and sanitary towels, which children from disadvantaged families rely on significantly," Nyamai added.
Deputy County Commissioner Gerald Mutuku assured that the security apparatus is tracking down the culprits with the help of chiefs, their assistants, and village elders.
"Let those responsible for teenage pregnancies rest assured that we shall apprehend and prosecute them," Mutuku said.
He also warned parents against concealing the pregnancy of their under-age daughters and advised them to report to the authorities for appropriate action.
Winfred Mukonza, the Kitui and Machakos Counties World Vision Manager, emphasized the need to strengthen children's welfare and protection amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our hope is in children. The lengthy closure of schools has affected the girl child due to exposure to pedophiles when they go out in search of water or fetch firewood," Mukonza said.
