Rise In Teenage Pregnancies In Nyadarua Concerns Officials

NYANDARUA,Kenya, Oct, 24 – Education officers in Nyandarua County have called on parents to guide the learners against engaging in irresponsible sexual behavior, even as they plan to station ambulances ahead of the national examination.

This comes after the county recorded 14 cases of pregnant candidates, expected to sit for their exams early December.

Nyandarua North Deputy County Commissioner Walter Ngaira, who is also the chair to the Sub-county education committee has regretted this worrying trend, while calling on parents to teach their children good behaviors and emphasize the importance of education.

“We have the challenge of early pregnancy in this Sub- county and the trend is worrying. As we are speaking, the form four exams will start in December and already we have 14 pregnant girls in various schools. We are worried they might give birth during the exam period thus making them miss the exams or perform poorly,” said Ngaira.

Speaking in Ol Kalou, the Deputy County Commissioner said that the issue of teenage pregnancy calls for concerted efforts from all stakeholders in a bid to protect the girls.

“We are planning to have standby ambulances to have the expectant candidates attended to in case they go to labour while doing their exams. We have a class six pupil who is pregnant. Her life has been messed up because she has to drop out of school and might face stigma as she goes back to school after giving birth,” said Mariba.

He also warned chiefs who engage in kangaroo courts over cases involving underage girls saying that they will face the full force of the law if found culpable.

In 2020, at least 800 school-going girls were impregnated in Nyandarua County. The report released by the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) indicated that the girls were aged between 10 and 19 years.