By ROSELYNE OBALA
Fifteen pupils from various learning institutions in Cheptais District, Bungoma County, have dropped out of school after getting pregnant.
The vice has been blamed on idle and unemployed young men who target underage girls by enticing them with money.
The girls mainly in Standard Five and Seven are aged between 13 and 17.
The schools affected include Chebwek and Kaptaboi in Cheptais division. Sasur Ward Councillor Nathan Wasama blamed Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practiced by Saboat community for the pregnancies. Apparently, the girls start to indulge in sex or get married as soon as they are circumcised.
“FGM has seen many girls also drop out of school,” he stated.
Wasama asked the Provincial Administration to help address the problem by arresting those engaging in sex with minors.
“Those responsible for impregnating the girls should be arrested to deter others,” said Wasama, who was speaking in Cheptais.
The civic leader noted that a number of girls suffer in silence due to poor parental guidance and lack of interest to further their education. He said some parents allow the girls to engage in sex for cash.
“Once these girls undergo the cut, they consider themselves adults hence they can engage in unprotected sex, which ruins their future,” he said.
Tender age
