Uhuru urged to declare teenage pregnancy national disaster

President Uhuru Kenyatta has been urged to declare teenage pregnancy a national disaster.

Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda says the lives of many schoolgirls have been ruined across the country as a result of early pregnancy.

Muhanda said more than 1,000 cases have been brought to her attention in the county.

She met women's groups in Navakholo sub-county, where the MP said both primary and high school girls get pregnant.

“The victims have been forced to drop out of school. It is unfortunate because their dreams have been shuttered and their health put on the line,” said the lawmaker.

Muhanda said leaders, including the head of State, should take action.

“Declaring the vice a national disaster will ensure proper measures are put in place to deal with it,” she said.

Muhanda said the push for a new curriculum in schools must encompass sex education.

“I urge Education CS George Magoha to reach out to the MPs and discuss how sex education can be slotted into the new curriculum.”

She took issue with men who lure school girls into having sex.

“Unfortunately some of our teachers are culprits. This is an issue that calls for concerted efforts to deal with. Let parents, teachers and religious leaders join hands in addressing the problem.”

There has been a heated debate over whether or not students ought to be introduced to contraceptives, with parents and the Ministry of Education opposed to the idea.