12,000 teen pregnancies reported, abortions also rise in North Rift

More than 12,000 teen pregnancies have been reported in the North Rift counties in three months since schools closed.

Backstreet abortions also are increasing, endangering the lives of many young girls, human rights groups have said.

Schools closed in mid-March due to Covid-19.

Jane Waithera from the Women Rights Center said many of the pregnant girls have been going to back street clinics to procure abortions.

“Very few pregnancies and abortions are officially recorded but we have noted a rise in the number of young girls seeking abortions,” Waithera said. 

She said girls in slums such as Kamukunji, Huruma, Langas, Kidiwa and Munyaka in Eldoret account for most pregnancies and abortions.

Waithera and Kipkorir Ngetich from the Center for Human Rights and Democracy urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure full enforcement of his orders to probe increased pregnancies and punish those responsible.

“If we don’t take remedial measures by the time schools resume in next year, we will have ruined the lives of millions of schoolgirls,” Waithera said.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago warned tough action would be taken against men who make girls pregnant.

He spoke while launching the Kazi Mtaani initiative for more than 8,000 youths at Kamkunji grounds on the outskirts of Eldoret town.

He said the youths and men will be dealt with according to law and forced to pay the school fees for the girls they made pregnant.

Mandago urged parents to watch over their children, especially girls, so they are safe until schools resume when the Covid-19 pandemic eases.

Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi are among the counties with rising rates of teen pregnancies.

Mandago urged youths in the Kazi Mtaani programme to work diligently to ensure it succeeds.

“We want this programme done the best way possible so when we ask for extension and expansion, we have a basis,” he said.

More than 283,000 youths have been recruited nationwide. The first phase involved sanitation, garbage collection, opening drains and other work.

Phase II will involve infrastructure, building access roads and rehabilitating government buildings in informal settlements.

The initiative aims to help unemployed youths and their families, mainly from informal settlements, cope with the economic challenges caused by Covid-19.

"If you are lucky to be enrolled in this programme, don't play with it, always keep time and do what’s required,” the governor said.

He said the recruitment process was free and fair.

"We have no complaints about the recruitment process and this is an indication the programme will be a success.”   

Uasin Gishu county commissioner Abdirisak Jaldesa said most recruited youths are from informal settlements.

"Those in areas such as Huruma, Munyaka, Langas and Kamkunji are very much affected and this is why we gave them first priority," Jaldesa said.

Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno asked the youths to make good use of the payments, using them as stepping stones to success.

(Edited by V. Graham)