By Norah Musega
Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) first spouses have raised concerns over the rising cases of teenage pregnancy and incest in the region. They are in talks with the judiciary trying to find best ways to fight the menace ones and for all.
The region which comprises 14 member counties namely Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, Kericho and Nandi counties hold its summits yearly with Migori County hosting its 11th summit at the Migori stadium in Migori town for the last three days.
During the summit attended by the governors, deputy governors, first ladies from various counties, spouses to deputy governors, county executive committee members, partners among other delegates, the first spouses led by Nyamira County First Lady, Emily Nyaribo, noted that most of the cases of early pregnancies in the region are as a result of incest.
“We have come across several cases where it is the grandfathers of pregnant young girls who have the tendency of raping their granddaughters repeatedly until they conceive,” said Nyaribo.
Nyaribo warned perpetrators eying underage girls that they are in talks with the judiciary to curb such cases, revealing that Siaya and Homabay Counties had rampant cases than the rest.
“If you are a grandfather and you have at one point defiled your granddaughter or any underage girl, the law is coming for you.” warned Nyaribo, adding: “We have consulted as 14 first spouses from the region and have reached a consensus that this unjust act of defiling the innocence of young girls in our society must stop with perpetrators being dealt with lawfully.”
Speaking during the closing ceremony she called on the governors and partners of LREB to give more support for the projects they are undertaking in the region to help realize the development dreams of the region and in betterment of the health sector.
The spouses who are also running other programs in their respective counties such as advocacy for cancer and fistula treatment, pledged to work in support of the LREB initiatives
