Early and teenage pregnancies rise in Rangwe,Homa Bay

By Robert Mutasi 

Rangwe Member of Parliament Lilian Gogo has stated that the number of early and teenage pregnancies is expected to increase by the end of this year in Rangwe Constituency, Homa Bay County.

According to Gogo, in 2022, the total number of pregnancies was 94, while in the first half of 2023, it is 76.

She has stated that the number of pregnancies in Rangwe is higher now compared to last year.

The MP has explained that the number may double by the end of this year.

The lawmaker has revealed that secondary schools lead in the number, particularly among Form Four girls.

"We have assessed for one and a half years, and we have recorded 164 girls becoming pregnant at various levels of education."

"We have those who got pregnant in Form One, but the Form One rate is not as high as it is with the Form Fours," said the MP.

In the one-and-a-half-year period, she has stated that Rangwe has recorded a total of 164 pregnancies among girls, particularly in Forms Three and Four.

She has mentioned that issues of alcohol and drug abuse among mostly male students are the main contributors to these pregnancies.

"We have issues with alcohol and drug abuse; we have early pregnancies in our schools," MP Gogo admitted.

They have been working on helping girls who have become pregnant to return to school, but they are facing challenges due to a lack of resources since the numbers are high.

The MP, along with other leaders, has formed a forum to address the issue and mitigate the number of girls becoming pregnant.