Narok County tops in teenage births in 2024, report reveals

Narok County recorded the highest proportion of registered live births to teenage mothers in 2024, according to the Kenya Vital Statistics Report 2024.

The report was released on Wednesday by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in partnership with the Civil Registration Services under the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice.

The report, now in its fifteenth edition, shows that 17.5 per cent of all registered live births in Narok were to teenage mothers—marking the highest rate in the country. Meru County followed closely at 17.4 per cent.

“Nationally, 11.3 per cent of all registered live births occurred to teenage mothers,” the report stated, highlighting persistent challenges related to adolescent reproductive health across various counties.

Other counties with above-average rates include Nyamira, Migori, Kisii, Kitui, Vihiga, Kakamega, Samburu, and Trans Nzoia, which round out the top ten counties with the highest teenage birth proportions.

At the other end of the spectrum, Mandera (3.6 per cent) and Wajir (4.2 per cent) reported the lowest figures.

Also registering lower-than-average rates were urban counties and more developed regions, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Garissa, Nyeri, Uasin Gishu, Lamu, and Kajiado.

The 2024 report analyses registered vital events across the country, providing key insights into births, deaths—including causes—marriages, and adoptions. Comparative trends from 2020 were also considered, giving a broader context to the findings.

Compiled in accordance with United Nations standards and regional guidelines, the report emphasises the importance of reliable vital statistics in informing national policy, guiding development efforts, and monitoring progress toward both national and global development targets.

Experts say the high rate of teenage births in counties like Narok and Meru calls for enhanced investment in adolescent health education, reproductive services, and community engagement to address underlying socio-economic and cultural factors contributing to early pregnancies.

The findings are expected to inform government planning and targeted interventions, particularly in counties recording higher-than-average teenage birth rates.