- KEWOSA has demanded urgent investigations and arrests following reports that 36 learners at Bakisa Secondary School have become pregnant.
- Police in Bungoma have launched a manhunt for suspects as authorities pursue leads on the perpetrators.
- 13 of the affected learners have already given birth, 13 are currently expectant, and 10 have already dropped out of school.
The Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA) has demanded swift investigations and arrests following reports that 36 learners at Bakisa Secondary School in Webuye, Bungoma County, have become pregnant.
The senators, led by Nominated Senator Catherine Muma, said the incident raises serious concerns over the safety and welfare of school-going girls, and called on security agencies to move with speed to establish how the minors became pregnant and bring those responsible to justice.
Speaking at the Malindi Women’s Prison in Kilifi County during the first day of the Senate Mashinani tour, the lawmakers said the affected girls should not be left to bear the consequences of crimes allegedly committed against them. “We make it seem like it is okay for children to be pregnant. As KEWOSA, we detest this, and we are willing to work with the Minister for Interior to make sure that the investigations move,” Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda said, calling for the immediate arrest of those behind the pregnancies. “We would want to see those perpetrators arrested,” she added.
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The senators urged the Ministry of Education, the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to coordinate investigations and ensure suspects are apprehended.
Of the 36 affected learners, 13 have already given birth, another 13 are expectant, while 10 have reportedly dropped out of school after becoming pregnant.
Police in Bungoma have since launched investigations and a manhunt for suspects, as pressure mounts for those responsible to be brought to book. Webuye East Assistant County Commissioner Emmanuel Kenga said authorities were already pursuing leads and vowed to take action against adults preying on minors. “I have a list of the cases, and we will deal with those responsible… wanafunzi hawawezi kujitia mimba, asilimia kubwa ya hizi mimba ni za watu wazima,” Kenga said.
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The school management said the pregnancies had disrupted the education and well-being of the affected learners, further raising concerns over their ability to return to school and continue with their studies.
By Lizzy Aluga
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