By Tony Wafula
Different organizations in Bungoma County have joined hands to advocate for the rights of the girl child in a bid to ensure they have a bright future.
Some of the organizations that participated in the campaign include the office of the first lady of Bungoma County, Amref, Ampath, office of the County Commissioner, Y-act initiate, Sauti Sasa, the clergy, chamber of commerce and health officials.
During the release of last year’s KCSE results, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha named Bungoma county as one the counties that recorded the highest number of teenage pregnancies.
Speaking during the official county teen awareness launch at Ndengelwa primary school in Kanduyi, Bungoma county commissioner Samuel Kimiti urged National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) to report the perpetrators and make sure that they face full force of the law.
Kimiti called upon all stakeholders to deliver a message in all forums and gatherings to make sure that the life of a girl child is secured and protected.
“I want to be very clear that this launch is not a political event but a countrywide agenda by the national government .I don’t expect politicians to politicize it,” he said, asking all elected leaders to support the initiative.
In an interview with the press, Bungoma County first lady Caroline Wangamati expressed concern that more than 4,000 teenagers had been impregnated in the first quarter of this year.
She added that her desire is to see all girls in Bungoma County finish school and realize their dreams before they become mothers.
Wangamati appealed to parents to be careful and responsible to their own children and avoid concealing pregnant cases at home but report to relevant authorities.
Mbuki Mburu, a representative from Amref gave the assurance that her organization will continue supporting teenagers in schools by providing them with sanitary towels and offering guidance and counseling needed for girl child development.
