This archive report was first published on 13 July 2019.
Published on July 13, 2019, Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to declare teenage pregnancy a national disaster.
According to Muhanda, the lives of many schoolgirls have been ruined across the country as a result of early pregnancy, with over 1,000 cases reported in her county alone.
During a meeting with women's groups in Navakholo sub-county, Muhanda expressed her concern over the issue, stating that both primary and high school girls are getting pregnant.
“The victims have been forced to drop out of school. It is unfortunate because their dreams have been shuttered and their health put on the line,” said Muhanda.
She emphasized the need for leaders, including the head of State, to take action and called for the declaration of teenage pregnancy as a national disaster to ensure proper measures are put in place to deal with it.
Muhanda also urged Education CS George Magoha to incorporate sex education into the new curriculum, saying this would help address the issue of teenage pregnancy.
She took issue with men who lure school girls into having sex, stating that some teachers are among the culprits and that concerted efforts are needed to deal with the problem.
