University students call for sex education in curriculum

KERICHO: A section of university students from the region have called for the introduction of sex education in schools.

Speaking to the Press in Cheptenye in Belgut constituency, the students said making sex education part of the curriculum would help stem the high drop-out rates among girls.

"We have witnessed so many girls fall by the wayside due to lack of the right information about their sexuality," said Mercy Chepkorir, a student at the University of Kabianga.

Her sentiments were echoed by Beatrice Chepkurui (Masaai Mara University) Pamela Siwon (Kenyatta University) and Faith Chepngetich and Nancy Cherotich (Egerton University), who also added that sex education can help curb cases of sexually transmitted diseases among learners.

OUTDATED RITE

The group also pledged to lead the fight against female genital mutilation, which is still being practice in some parts of the county.

Raymond Cheruiyot, an anti-FGM activist in the area, said although the war against the outdated rite of passage had started bearing fruit, some communities were still secretly circumcising girls in some parts of Kipkelion West and East constituencies.

He appealed to the Lina Jebii Kilimo's Anti-FGM Board to step up its campaign in the region to ensure the practice is wiped out.

Mr Cheruiyot also called for enactment of tougher laws to bolster the fight against FGM.

"Although there are tough laws that spell out stiff penalties for the perpetrators of FGM, it seems that the measures are not deterrent enough because the option of a fine encourages supporters of the rite to continue carrying it out," he said.