Kajiado: Female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriages, and teenage pregnancies remain the biggest threats to the education and well-being of girls in Kajiado County, stakeholders in the child protection sector have warned.
According to Kenya News Agency, during a child protection forum in the county, Kajiado West Children's Officer Cosmas Karera highlighted the alarming rise in teenage pregnancies, which continues to derail girls' education. He pointed out that poverty, peer pressure, harmful cultural practices, and weak parental guidance exacerbate the situation, with cases often spiking during long school holidays.
Karera urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, emphasizing that protecting children is a shared responsibility. He warned that failing to act could result in losing an entire generation of girls to retrogressive practices.
Beatrice Githinji, from the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Kenya Chapter, noted that harmful practices continue to deny girls equal opportunities in education. She mentioned that FAWE has introduced Tuseme Clubs in schools under the Imarisha Msichana programme to provide girls with a voice and a safe platform for expression.
Githinji explained that through the clubs, girls receive training in self-esteem, leadership, and decision-making. They use debates, theatre, and peer mentorship to address issues such as teenage pregnancy, early marriage, and FGM. In schools where the clubs are active, a significant drop in pregnancy cases has been observed.
At Lorngo'sua Secondary School, teacher Hesbon Mokua confirmed the transformational impact of the Tuseme Clubs on girls' lives. He stated that girls have become more confident, responsible, and even willing to return to school after dropping out due to pregnancy. For many, the clubs have been a lifeline.
Lewis Gautama, from the Malkia Initiative, called for stronger community collaboration to end harmful cultural practices. He emphasized that investing in girls' education is the most sustainable path to development, stating that educating a girl transforms families, communities, and the country at large.
A situational analysis by FAWE under the Imarisha Msichana programme revealed that teenage pregnancy among girls aged 15-18 stands at 27.4 per cent nationally, with Kajiado County recording an even higher rate of 35.6 per cent. The KDHS also shows that while the prevalence of FGM among women aged 15-49 has dropped nationally to 14.8 per cent, the practice remains deeply entrenched in some parts of Kajiado.
The forum called for greater community sensitization, urging parents, teachers, religious leaders, and local administrators to play a more active role in safeguarding children. Stakeholders stressed that keeping girls in school and protecting their rights is not only a family responsibility but also a collective duty vital to the country's future.