West Pokot's solution teen pregnancies paying off

Teen pregnancy in west Pokot.[Courtesy]

Concerted efforts among parents, schools, and the government to address teenage pregnancies in West Pokot County are yielding positive results.

At Mtelo Girls Secondary School in Sigor Constituency, the turnaround has been remarkable.

Principal Maxmila Lomatwa reported that the school, which once faced a high number of teenage pregnancies, has seen a significant reversal of this trend.

“When I was posted here, nearly all the girls were either pregnant or had babies. There was even a disturbing belief that if you weren’t pregnant, you were infertile,” she shared.

Determined to change this situation, the school administration implemented bold interventions.

Regular meetings with parents, motivational talks by female role models, and the enforcement of strict home rules have contributed to this positive shift.

“We introduced pregnancy tests before KCSE registration, and although it was controversial at first, parents supported it,” Lomatwa revealed. “This move has played a key role in discouraging risky behaviour,” she said.

Additionally, mentorship programs and community dialogues have empowered girls to make informed choices and resist peer pressure.

Some parents have formed vigilance groups to monitor the school environment and protect girls from exploitation.

“We’ve recorded a major drop in both pregnancies and dropouts. Parents are now more involved and supportive of their daughters’ education,” noted Lomatwa.

While the lack of school fees remains a challenge, bursaries have been helpful.

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin confirmed that his administration allocated Sh 6 million to Mtelo Girls as part of efforts to keep girls in school.

“Our biggest enemy is early pregnancy. We want our girls to be patient. If they rush into motherhood, they miss out on a better future, while the men responsible often continue with their lives,” Kachapin stated.

He urged education stakeholders to support the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, emphasising that investments in infrastructure and skills training are essential for youth empowerment.

The governor also expressed concerns about ghost schools in the region.

“It is shocking that some schools receiving funding don’t exist. The government must investigate this issue because genuine schools are suffering from underfunding,” he said.

At Mtelo Girls, there is renewed hope as more girls remain in class, motivated to break the cycle of early motherhood and pursue a brighter future.