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KHRC said the crisis of unintended teenage pregnancies is a gross human rights violation.
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A report by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) revealed that 696 adolescent girls were impregnated daily in 2023.
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The Kenya Human Rights Commission has filed a petition seeking to have governors and Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Wafula summoned over teenage pregnancies in the counties.
KHRC on Friday termed teen pregnancies as a pressing issue plaguing society.
The commission said the crisis of unintended teenage pregnancies is a gross human rights violation.
"Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 report indicated that teenage pregnancy prevalence in Kenya stood at 15 per cent among girls aged 15-19 years," the Commission noted.
A report by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) revealed that 696 adolescent girls were impregnated daily in 2023.
The Commission said the county with the highest teen pregnancy prevalence is Samburu at 50 per cent, West Pokot is second with 36 per cent prevalence while Marsabit came third with 29 per cent.
"Migori (23 per cent); Kajiado (21 per cent) ; Baringo (20 per cent) ; Siaya (20 per cent); Taita Taveta (18 per cent) ; Trans Nzoia's (17 per cent) and Isiolo had 16 per cent," the Commission said.
During the period under review, Nairobi recorded 452 cases of teen pregnancies, Kakamega (328); Bungoma (294); Nakuru (283); Kiambu (267); Kilifi (224); Meru (206); Kisii (192); Machakos (178) and Narok (176), KHRC said.
The commission wants 20 governors from counties with the highest rates of teenage pregnancies summoned to explain the specific practical interventions and guidelines they have developed to address the crisis of teenage pregnancies in their respective counties.
The Commission also wants the Council of Governors to interrogate the crisis as a matter of urgency and offer a collective voice on policy issues affecting the prevention and management of teenage pregnancies in Kenya.
KHRC further said they want CS Nakhumicha to recommit to the Eastern and Southern Africa Commitment on comprehensive sexual education.
In their petition, KHRC urges the National Assembly to summon CS Nakhumicha to explaining the policy interventions and guidelines the Ministry has developed on sexual and reproductive health for adolescent girls and outline Kenya's commitment to the Eastern and Southern Africa Commitment on comprehensive sexual education.
"The Ministry of Education to ensure that every teenage girl who falls pregnant is unconditionally permitted back to school and provided with the necessary psychosocial support without discrimination," the commission said.
The Commision also wants the CS to explain policy interventions and guidelines that the Ministry has taken to ensure every adolescent girl who falls pregnant is unconditionally permitted back to school and provided with the necessary psychosocial support without discrimination.
KHRC also urged parents to promote the well-being and welfare of their children.