High rate of teenage pregnancies worry governor Nyong'o

By Peter Ochieng 

Kisumu governor Anyang' Nyong'o has showed concern over the high rate of teenage pregnancies in the Lakeside county.

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) report 2022 released eaely this year, 11.1% of girls and young women aged 15-19 years in Kisumu have experienced pregnancy.

Speaking during the comemoration of World Contraceptive Day, which doubled up as the groundbreaking ceremony for Ratta Maternal and Child Health Care in Seme Sub-county, Nyong'o said that poverty and lack of education are often intertwined with the challenges of teen pregnancy.

"The statistics remind us that we have work to do as approximately four in ten girls aged about 15-19 years in the lowest wealth bracket do experience pregnancy compared to 8 per cent in the highest wealth bracket," he said.

He said that the Ratta Health Maternal Complex represents a beacon of hope in the county's journey, to enhance healthcare access.

"The Ratta Maternal Child Health Complex represents a beacon of hope in our journey to enhance healthcare access. This complex will not only provide critical RMNCAH services but also act as a hub for several health facilities in North Seme Ward, strengthening our primary care network. It is a symbol of our commitment to improving the capacity of healthcare institutions to serve our community better."

RMNCAH stands for Reproductive Maternal Newborn Children and Adolescent Health.

Construction of the complex is being supported by Safaricom Foundation.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Safaricom Foundation for their invaluable partnership and support in making this endeavor a reality."