A section of Meru County MPs has urged the boda boda riders to assist in ending teenage pregnancy by immediately reporting to the police the culprits who impregnate the minors.
Led by nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni and the Meru County Woman Representative Karambu Kailemia, they said boda boda riders have first-hand information about the men who take the girls to the lodgings because they are the ones who ferry them to those premises.
Speaking during a boda boda empowerment program in Nkubu town in South Imenti constituency, Meru County, MP Muthoni advised the riders to report the culprits to the nearest police station in order for the security officers to take the appropriate action against the suspects, including arrest and prosecution.
She called on the riders to stop always taking the blame for the teenage pregnancy menace and instead report such cases to the relevant authorities.
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“You have a role to play in ending the rising cases of teenage pregnancies in Meru County by reporting the incident to the nearest police station. I urge you to always be the first one to report suspected cases that might lead to teenage pregnancies because you are the people who mostly ferry the culprits and the victims to the lodgings. If you suspect such a case is happening, take your boda boda to the nearest police station and report. Stop always taking the blame when you know that you are innocent by being proactive against the vice,” said MP Muthoni.
The lawmaker said she has done thorough research on teenage pregnancy in the area and established beyond any reasonable doubt that older men are responsible for the most cases, noting that the assumption that boda boda riders are the main culprits is wrong and misguided.
MP Muthoni insisted that it is the duty of the boda boda riders to protect their younger sisters at all costs because the young girls are their future wives.
She regretted that teenage pregnancy had led to high school dropout rates amongst the girls, thus denying them a chance to attain their full potential.
She called on all the education stakeholders to join in the fight against the vice in a bid to ensure all children are given an equal chance in education and life.
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Expressing similar sentiments, MP Kailemia called on the riders to take care of their female colleagues in order to end the high school drop-out rate and early marriages.
She lauded the riders for their positive contribution to the economy of the country and advised them to embrace discipline, respect and accountability.
Kailemia promised to give out one car washing machine per ward to youths to advance their development efforts.
“I also promise to enrol more women in driving schools for motorbikes to increase the number of women in the sector,” said Kailemia.
By John Majau
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