By Tony Wafula
The police, Non-governmental organizations, parents and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) have been challenged to be on the forefront of fighting the retrogressive culture of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Bungoma County.
Speaking to the press, during the flagging off of the Teenage Pregnancy Awareness Month (TPAM) at Chwele market, Area County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti asked chiefs to fight the vice in the region.
“This is a government strategy of ending FGM practices in our society by 2022 therefore I request all NGAO, parents, NGOs and education stakeholders to work closely to ensure that we end the vise and pave way for our girls to get education,” Kimiti said.
He noted said that early marriages, teen pregnancies and FGM have negatively impacted the education of many girls thus resulting to the high number of school drop outs.
Kimiti urged chiefs to mob learners who haven’t joined form one and ensure that they are in school.
He also asked chiefs to fight illicit brew in their areas of jurisdiction adding that it’s contributing to school drop outs and an increase in teenage pregnancies.
Kimiti said that over 7,000 people have been arrested in Bungoma County for contravening Covid-19 protocols.
“The police don’t want to clash with residents over Covid-19 protocols. Am asking residents
to follow the laid protocols,” he urged.
Dorcas Rono, Bungoma central deputy county commissioner said that she will work with chiefs to ensure that men who prey on school going girls are arrested and face full force of the law.
Mbuki Mburu, a representative from Amref health Africa assured residents of the organization’s support in ensuring that teen pregnancy is brought to near zero in Bungoma.
She added that the Teenage pregnancy awareness caravan will be going around the county to sensitize the public on the importance of fighting FGM and teenage pregnancy.
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