- A 15-year-old Kirinyaga schoolgirl has threatened to quit school after her parents rejected a marriage proposal from a suitor.
- Child protection advocates have raised concern over the incident, noting that at 15, the girl remains a minor entitled to legal protection from early marriage.
- Advocates have urged the family to provide counselling support while ensuring the teenager remains in school and receives adequate protection from exploitation.
By Kithinji Njeru
A 15-year-old schoolgirl in Kirinyaga County has threatened to abandon her education after her parents rejected a marriage proposal from a man who had approached the family seeking her hand in marriage.
The teenager reportedly broke down in tears after her parents turned down the proposal, insisting that they had denied her what she considered a rare opportunity to settle down with the suitor. According to accounts of the incident, the girl argued passionately that she should be allowed to marry the man, maintaining that she could still pursue her education after marriage. She reportedly told her parents that education could wait, questioning whether completing her studies would guarantee that she would eventually find a suitable husband.
Her position has raised concern among members of the community and child protection advocates, who have urged parents and other adults to protect children from early marriage and ensure they remain in school. At 15, the girl is legally a child and is therefore entitled to protection from practices that could expose her to exploitation, abuse or premature adulthood. Kenyan law prohibits child marriage, with the legal age of marriage set at 18, and authorities and child protection agencies have consistently called on parents, schools and communities to report cases involving children at risk of early marriage.
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Child rights advocates say the girl’s reaction also highlights the need for continued counselling and mentorship for adolescents, particularly on education, relationships and the consequences of making life-changing decisions at a young age. They have urged the family to support the teenager through counselling while ensuring that she remains in school and receives the necessary protection.
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The incident has renewed calls for communities to strengthen efforts against teenage pregnancy, child marriage and school dropout, while creating safe environments where girls can pursue their education without pressure to enter into relationships or marriage prematurely.
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