How poverty, wildlife conflicts are driving teen pregnancies in Taita

A group of women who mentortTeenage mothers within Taita-Taveta County working at a kitchen garden at paranga village. [Renson Mnyamwezi, Standard]

Patience Makonde naively fell into the trap of a man's beguiling words and momentary inducements but was left high and dry after she became pregnant at the age of 14 years.

In their infatuation, Ms Makonde, who is now in her 20s, was not only duped to engage in early sex but also lured into a short come-we-stay marriage by a motorbike rider in Taita sub-County.