This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
Published on September 14, 2019, a report by the United Nations Population Fund highlighted a disturbing trend in Kenya: teenage pregnancies are on the rise.
The study found that between July 2016 and June 2017, close to 380,000 girls aged 10-19 became pregnant. The counties with the highest number of teenage pregnancies were Migori (24%), Nyamira (28%), Tana River (28%), West Pokot (29%), Homa Bay (33%), and Narok (40%).
While boda-boda riders have transformed the transport sector in Kenya, offering affordable and convenient services, they have also been linked to a significant number of teenage pregnancies. The riders, mostly young men, often target vulnerable teenage girls who are forced to 'pay in kind' for their services.
According to the report, the girls are often lured into sex by the riders, who offer them money for sanitary pads, makeup, clothes, and other upkeep needs. This has led to a significant number of girls dropping out of school and facing pregnancy-related complications, including fatal outcomes.
As a result, there are increased calls for all stakeholders, including parents, social organizations, schools, and the government, to adopt a collaborative approach to deal with the menace.
