By Kamotho Waiganjo

Like all things Kenyan, the debate generated by the report on teen sexual activity last month reached a quick crescendo, and then died just as quickly. The predictable blame game occurred, Kenyans wringed their hands in despair and moved to more titillating issues like the structure of the Executive and Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’s anti-Passat declaration. In real terms, however, the fate of this young generation, who will be the ultimate custodians of the reform dividend, is as critical as the reform itself.

We must therefore be concerned when studies consistently show an alarming increase in risky teen sexual activity. Back in 2003, a report widely covered by AFP and Yahoo indicated that, 25 per cent of Kenyan girls aged between 15 and 19 were either pregnant or had children and that 70 per cent of all adolescents in the country were engaging in unprotected sex.

Last year, another study revealed that eight out of 10 adolescents had been engaged in sexual activity before reaching 20. When 14-year-old girls were interviewed, 13 per cent confessed that they had been pregnant (and either had children or procured and abortion).

What was scaring about the latest report by the Centre for the Study on Adolescence was the revelation that at this age, many teenagers were engaging in unprotected sex with more than one partner within a period of six months; multiplying the risk of HIV. The veracity of these statistics will be attested by anyone who sits outside a friendly chemist on a Sunday morning and notes the thriving sale of the morning-after pill. In an age where the message of Aids is everywhere one looks, why is it that risky sexual behaviour continues to increase, particularly among this age group? This is a question that will require severe introspection and quick action if we are to have a generation to bequeath the nation to.

But we must know that there are no easy answers and traditional distribution of blame will not help. Parents, schools, faith institutions, the State and the teenagers themselves have jointly contributed to our crisis.

It is accepted however that solving this crisis starts with parents. It must be said ad nauseum that frank talk between parents and their children on sex, at an age when the children are willing to listen, is not an option. As the children metamorphose to teenage and suddenly know more than their parents, the messenger will need to be different.

Peer groups have more credibility with teens at this age, and parents need to invest in peer mentoring groups like Grow House Foundation.

The baton is then shared with the faith institutions and schools. The former cannot hide its head in the sand anymore.

A study carried out ten or so years ago by a Christian organisation revealed that the difference in sexual activity between churched and unchurched youths is negligible. This calls for a drastic review of the churches’ approach to issues of teen sex, including a more accommodating attitude towards those that have transgressed.

In this regard, I must say I was delighted to see a church operating a VCT centre in its compound. As for schools, sex education is no longer a guest lecturer preserve, it must be in the main menu of the school curriculum, it must be innovative, and it must start from the early years.

As for our teenagers, they must understand that carrying the consequences of irresponsibility is a lonely journey. They must know that any single act of unprotected sex is a potential death sentence.

As I constantly say to my own three teenagers, the best years are ahead, don’t massacre them on an act that can wait.

Like good wine, it matures with age. And only thrives in a secure environment.