Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu has sounded a warning to men who impregnate schoolgirls, saying they will be dealt with accordingly under the relevant laws.
Governor Ntutu, who said most such cases happen during long school holidays, revealed he is working closely with the county commissioner’s office to identify girls who fall pregnant during the period in a bid to follow up and arrest the culprits who will be prosecuted in the court of law.
He observed that many innocent girls fall pregnant during the holiday season, hence compromising their studies and future careers.
“Our girls should be given ample time to complete their studies so that they can become professionals in the future," he said.
Governor Ntutu spoke at the Nkineji area in Naroosura ward, Narok South Sub County during a development tour where he warned parents against subjecting their children to retrogressive cultural practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages.
“Parents should be at the forefront of supporting their children complete school by ensuring they guide and counsel them during this long holiday season,” he said.
The governor reiterated the county government’s commitment to sponsor vulnerable children saying in the current year, his administration released Sh400 million as a bursary to sponsor the vulnerable children.
“I do not see why any child should miss school because we have put in all the necessary support for the children to be in school. We will blame the parents for any child who fails to return to school after the holiday in January,” he said.
This year, eight girls from Narok county sat for their exams while in hospital after they gave birth during the exam season.
Speaking at a different event, Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia called on chiefs to report families with the intention of subjecting their girls to FGM and early marriages this season.
Lotiatia said that the practice is criminal, and anyone who allows their premises to be used to conduct such an illegal practice will be arrested and punished accordingly.
According to statistics from the Kenya Health and Demographic Survey (KHDS) released in 2022, Narok County was positioned fourth in the country in teenage pregnancy at 28 per cent, beating the national average of 17 per cent.
The top three counties are Samburu (50 per cent), West Pokot (36.3 percent), and Marsabit County at 29.4 per cent).
