Two held for 'marrying' minors

Two men have been arrested in the County for allegedly marrying pupils.

In the first incident, a 30-year-old was arrested in Homa Bay sub-county for marrying a Class Seven girl.

The suspect is said to have lived with the minor as his wife in a rental house at Sero village in the outskirts of Homa Bay town.

He reportedly locked up the minor, a pupil at a primary school in the neighbouring Rangwe sub-county, for one month.

The two were arrested in the house after area Chief Fredrick Onyango was tipped off by the public.

“I informed police before we raided the house and found the man living with the girl,” said Mr Onyango.

Illegal marriage

Residents, who informed the administrator of the relationship, said the "marriage" was illegal due to the girl's age.

The suspect and the minor were taken to Homa Bay police station.

Elsewhere in Ndhiwa sub-county, a 26-year-old man was arrested for marrying a Class Six.

The two were said to have been living as husband and wife in a rental house at Marindi trading centre for more than two months.

The man was also taken to Homa Bay police station.

Homa Bay sub-county Children’s Department officer Joseph Otieno said the suspects would be taken to court.

“I urge residents to protect rights of children. Teenage marriage destroys the future of minors, hence it must be discouraged,” said Mr Otieno.