School on spot as seven girls found pregnant

Students at Kiptororo Secondary School. The school has reported seven pregnancies since January. [Kennedy Gachuhi/Standard]

Cases of teenage pregnancies show little signs of abating, with two schools confirming that 13 of their students have been impregnated.

Seven cases were reported in Kiptororo Secondary School in Kuresoi North, while the principal of Kamolo Secondary in Teso North said six of his students were pregnant.

Kuresoi Deputy County Commissioner Felix Wafula yesterday met with the school’s administration over the matter.

“I learnt that seven girls had been found to be pregnant in the past three months. The principal also said they had nearly 30 similar cases that were never brought to my attention,” said Mr Wafula.

The numbers confirmed the results of a report released in September last year by Afya Uzazi, a programme that aims to improve women’s access to healthcare.

“Kiptororo and Kamara wards have the highest (teen) pregnancy rates in Kuresoi at 23 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. This is should be looked into urgently,” the report read.

Some of the interviewed girls said the pregnancies were results of rape or consensual sex, which is still illegal because they are minors.

One Form Four student said she had been raped on two occasions by boda boda riders as they took her to school early in the morning.

In Teso North, Kamolo Principal Benson Musasia said investigations showed the girls were impregnated by fellow students or villagers “who were well known”.

Mr Musasia, who denied earlier claims that 15 of his students were pregnant, said the matter had been raised with the chief and some of the suspects arrested.

The principal said the pregnant girls were still attending classes, adding that they would only be allowed to stay home when they were about to deliver. “As soon as they deliver and regain some strength, they will come back to continue with their studies.”

County Director of Education Thaddeus Awuor said he had received complaints on the matter and launched investigations.

Recently, Teachers Service Commission Director Ibrahim Rugut confirmed that four teachers from various schools in Busia had been sacked for defiling students.

Mr Rugut said the teachers would be struck from the TSC register and their names published in the Kenya Gazette to ensure they do not get jobs in private schools.

He warned tutors to refrain from engaging in sexual affairs with students. “Parents have entrusted them with their children but they end up defiling the learners,” said Rugut.