Amref CEO Gitahi criticises Lusaka over pregnant teens remarks

Amref Health CEO Githinji Gitahi has condemned remarks by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka that teens who get pregnant should not be allowed back to class.

Gitahi through his X handle on Tuesday termed the remarks as a privilege and ignorance over women's reproductive matters adding that such remarks are worrying.

He said such girls should be enlightened rather than being threatened or punished for their actions.

“Men display their privilege and ignorance over reproductive matters of women all the time and when it’s from the leadership of Lusaka stature then it’s worrying and worth clarification,” Gitahi said.

Clarifying further, Gitahi noted that the body is ready and prepared for reproduction at puberty which starts ideally around 12 years give or take.

This, he said does not happen only in girls but in both genders.

At this age, the body hormonally demands reproduction through sex with boys or men (so girls don’t make themselves pregnant through ‘such behaviour’ as you call it),” Gitahi said.

“The only way to help girls is not to threaten them and further punish them but to inform them that the urge to reproduce which expresses itself in the urge to have sex is natural but they can make choices to delay.” 

He further noted that those who find it hard to resist should be taught ways to protect themselves from pregnancy and STIs - to delay nature so that they finish their education and become of age.

Remarks by Lusaka have attracted backlash from a section of Kenyans and policymakers.

On Monday, Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa condemned Lusaka for allegedly suggesting that pregnant teens should be barred from continuing with their studies.

In a statement, Jumwa said policies that discriminate against girls because of pregnancy or marriage violate international and regional human rights law and the Kenyan Constitution 2010.

“I would like to condemn in the strongest terms possible those sentiments of a leader of the stature of the Bungoma Governor who is not only a leader but a parent and a would-be opinion leader,” Jumwa said.

Speaking to journalists at his home on Saturday, the governor said a law barring their resumption would go a long way in ensuring teenage girls are “careful and responsible”.

“Nowadays girls are getting pregnant and allowed to go back to school, where many are seeing it as a non-issue,” he said.

The governor said in the past, such things were not there.

The National Gender and Equality Commission has also come out to condemn the remarks.

"We vehemently condemn Governor Kenneth Lusaka's proposed ban on pregnant teens returning to school. Education is a right, not a privilege, & stigmatizing vulnerable groups hinders progress," NGEC said in a statement.

Here are some of the reactions to the sentiments;