Alarm over rising teen pregnancies in Rangwe Sub County

Homa Bay, Tuesday June 6, 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

Education stakeholders in Rangwe Sub-county have been urged to take measures to address rising cases of teen pregnancies and drug abuse in the area.

Rangwe constituency Member of Parliament Dr Lilian Gogo said at least 76 girls had been impregnated in the Sub County since the beginning of the year.

She told stakeholders to put in more effort to curb defilements and subsequent teen pregnancies. 

She spoke on Tuesday during an education stakeholder meeting at Asumbi Girls High School graced by Homa Bay County Director of Education Eunice Khaemba, the County Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KSSHA) Chairman Dickens Bula and Rangwe Deputy County Commissioner Alfet Jilo.

Dr Gogo said 164 girls conceived in the last one and a half years in the sub-county adding that some of the pregnancies led to school dropouts.

She said the high rate of defilement was jeopardizing academic standards in the Sub-county.

“I want all education stakeholders in Rangwe to work as a team in fighting defilement which causes teen pregnancies among our school girls. We want to uplift academic standards in this area,” Gogo said.

The MP proposed the creation of a care giving center in Rangwe to help in provision of guidance, counseling and other care services to vulnerable girls.

She said time had come for everybody in the sub-county to ensure girls are protected from sex pests.

“We want to ensure all students are protected from teen pregnancies,” Gogo added.

The forum was told that boys were also being destroyed by drug abuse. Some principals said students sneak narcotics into schools.

Bula urged parents and local communities to collaborate with teachers in preventing students from abusing drugs

“It is true that students engage in drug abuse in schools. But the drugs are sold to the students by members of the community. I urge the community to co-operate with teachers in ending drug abuse in schools,” Bula said.

Khaemba said her office is putting measures in place to ensure those girls who deliver are followed and returned to school.

“We are combating the school drop out by ensuring students who deliver are followed up to ensure they return to school after delivery,” Khaemba said.

Jilo said they are strengthening the security apparatus to ensure punitive measures were taken against defilement perpetrators.

“Any defilement suspect must be arrested and arraigned in court,” said.

 Courtesy ; K. N. A