Nominated Senator Consolata Wakwabubi has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of teenage pregnancies in the country, describing the trend as a major threat to education, economic productivity, and long-term social stability.
According to a recent report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), teenage pregnancies increased from 224,333 in 2025 to 235,938 in 2026.
Wakwabubi urged the the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare to treat the situation as a growing national emergency affecting thousands of adolescent girls.
“The crisis continues to undermine girls’ education, perpetuate poverty, and put immense pressure on our healthcare system,” the Senator said. She added that teenage pregnancies could significantly impact national labour and economic productivity for decades if left unaddressed.
Wakwabubi called for a thorough review of existing interventions, including school re-entry policies, adolescent health programmes, and child protection frameworks.
She also sought clarification on enforcement gaps and resource allocation, particularly measures ensuring teenage mothers can continue their education without stigma or discrimination.
ALSO READ:
Government proposes unified funding model for primary and junior secondary schools
The Economic Survey 2026 shows Kajiado County recorded the highest number of pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 14, with 936 cases, followed by Garissa (725), Homa Bay (648), Narok (601), and Turkana (600). Other counties in the top ten included Meru (556), Mandera (535), Nairobi City (483), Kitui (413), and West Pokot (400).
Nationally, adolescent pregnancies among girls aged 10–19 rose by 2.2% to 235,900, with pregnancies in the 10–14 age group spiking 14.6%, signaling an alarming increase among very young girls.
Nairobi, while ranking eighth for pregnancies among 10–14-year-olds, reported the highest overall adolescent pregnancies (10–19 years) at 14,291 cases, a sharp rise from 234 cases in 2024 to 483 in 2025 for the younger age group.
Kakamega County, second nationally in overall adolescent pregnancies, recorded 205 cases among girls aged 10–14 and 11,630 among those aged 15–19. Narok, third nationally, reported 601 pregnancies among girls aged 10–14 and 10,333 among those aged 15–19.
By Obegi Malack
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
