Rights group rescues student from marriage

By Vincent Mabatuk

Baringo, Kenya: A rights group in Baringo County has rescued a 14-year-old girl who had been married off to a man more than three times her age.

The Standard Seven girl was seized by her father last Friday after she arrived from a boarding school and secretly handed over to Petangiro Lokoli, 49, who had paid 34 goats and nine cows as dowry.

On arrival at his house, the girl allegedly lied to him that she was menstruating and managed to escape on foot to seek help.

Her father and the prospective husband were arrested by the area chief with the assistance of Administration Police officers but they are yet to appear in court.

Tangulbei Women’s Network Against Gender Violence chairperson Mary Kuket said efforts to bring the suspect to Loruk court more than 100km away have failed because they cannot get a vehicle from the District Officer’s office.

She said the man, who has another wife, now wants his dowry returned because he is no longer interested in the girl.

“The Government should set up a rescue school in East Pokot that will be operational throughout because when schools close, the girls become targets,” Ms Kuket explained.

Meanwhile, a survey by Women Rights Institute for Peace reveals that over 1,000 girls in Baringo South and Tiaty constituencies are set to undergo Female Genital Mutilation next month.