Marrying off underage girls will not be tolerated, Governor warns

By TOBIAS CHANJI

Kwale, Kenya: Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya has issued a warning to parents who will be found encouraging early marriage of their school going daughters.

“This is against the Constitution and those found will face the full force of the law,” he said.

Mvurya said his administration will not tolerate practices that ruin the girl child while the county government is striving to improve education of the marginalised area.

The governor made the remarks at Mwangulu Primary School in Lunga Lunga during the county’s prize giving day to award best performing schools at last year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).

Mvurya said for the county to succeed, the girl child has to be educated because just like the boy child, she is an integral part of the society.

“The girl child’s education must be given the same importance as that of boys because the constitution recognises gender equality,” he said.

Mvurya who was accompanied by education executive officer Mangale Chiforomodo, among other leaders, said marrying off underage girls ends up ruining their lives adding that his government will not turn a blind eye to the vice.