Schoolgirl, 14, flees from home to avoid father's plans to marry her off

Narok County Children's official Elizabeth Kasura with a 14 year olf standard six girl rescued from early marriage in Oldebesi in Narok East. PHOTO:ROBERT KIPLAGAT.

A 14-year-old girl has been rescued from early marriage.

The Standard Six pupil of Oldebesi Primary School in Narok East had been warned by fellow students that she would be married off during the August holidays.

"After we finished our exams, my schoolmates told me that I would be married off. I informed the head teacher," she said.

When schools closed, her father began preparations for her marriage.

"I asked him why and he said that he had just decided to get me a husband."

The girl fled to her teacher's house from where she was taken to Suswa Police Post.

Elizabeth Kasura, a social worker, said cases of early marriage and female genital mutilation usually increased during the school holidays.