Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged the Maa community to promote education for girls alongside that of the boys.
Speaking in Narok, Gachagua challenged leaders from the community to advocate for an end to the rampant cases of early marriages in the region.
The Deputy President was in the county for the launch of Narok West constituency's Strategic Plan (2023-2027).
"Girls must be given a chance to go to school and be supported to fulfill their dreams," he said.
"The Maa community has to drop the practice of early marriages as it is overtaken by time. Let us invest in education so that girls can be independent in the future and helpful to the community. Girls should also be in school,” he added.
The event was organized by area MP Gabriel Tongoyo.
It prioritizes education initiatives, road infrastructure, and security, among others.
The Deputy President directed National Government Administration Officers led by the county commissioner and chiefs to ensure unlawful and retrogressive practices were wiped out, noting that child marriage is a violation of children's rights.
"Let us put more investment in education and shun bad cultural practices. The County Commissioner and chiefs should monitor and enforce laws that protect children’s rights. We must end child marriage and ensure all girls are in school," he said.
He also used the opportunity to heap praises on Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya who is among the top female leaders from the community.
The CS, he said, is a lawyer, a mentor and inspiration to young girls in the community.
“Soipan has performed well and earned the country respect in addressing climate change, especially after the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi last month. She is a role model to the young girls here,” he said.
The DP also presided over the commissioning of 38 mobile laboratories for junior Secondary Schools and the official opening of Kishermoruak boys’ secondary school.
The mobile laboratories, he said, will plug in the deficit in infrastructure as the government rolls out the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
A 2021 report from the Children's Department showed that 40 per cent of girls in Narok drop out of school due to early marriage and early pregnancies.