Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti has raised concern over the escalating rate of teenage pregnancies in the county, urging both older and younger men to take an active role in safeguarding school-going girls from exploitation. Speaking during a public event on March 9, 2024, Governor Ndeti highlighted that Machakos now ranks among the top counties grappling with the crisis, with 178 reported cases, placing it alongside Nairobi, Kakamega, and Bungoma in national statistics. She appealed for community action, stressing that early pregnancies often leave young girls unable to provide for themselves or their children.
The alarm comes following a report by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), which cited data from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council indicating that approximately 696 girls became pregnant daily in 2023. The commission issued red cards to 20 governors, accusing some of failing to curb teenage pregnancies effectively, while others were cited for contributing significantly to the nationwide figures. Factors cited include poverty, sexual and gender-based violence, harmful cultural practices, and disruptions from school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. KHRC officials urged the Ministries of Health and Education, alongside the Council of Governors, to implement comprehensive policies that provide sexual education, psychosocial support, and the reintegration of affected girls into schools.
Reactions from local stakeholders have emphasized the urgent need for coordinated action. Community leaders, parents, and educators are being called upon to monitor at-risk youth closely and participate in awareness campaigns. Governor Ndeti reiterated that protecting young girls is a shared responsibility and urged immediate interventions to reverse the trend. Looking ahead, the county plans to strengthen preventive programs, increase public awareness, and collaborate with national bodies to ensure that affected girls receive support and that similar cases are prevented, ultimately fostering safer environments for Machakos’ youth.