Education stakeholders in Meru County have raised concern after the region emerged with the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in the country.
According to recent data from the Kenya Health Information System, under the Ministry of Health, the county’s teen pregnancy prevalence rate stands at a staggering 28 per cent.
This is significantly higher than the national average of 17 per cent.
The surge has led to a rise in school dropout rates, with the Buuri and Igembe regions being the hardest hit.
This has also heightened health risks for young girls in Imenti North, Central, and South.
In response to the growing crisis, a stakeholders’ forum was recently held in Meru. It brought together religious leaders, including Muslim imams, clergy, community elders, government officials, and NGOs dedicated to social welfare.
The goal of the gathering was to formulate a unified approach to addressing the alarming trend.
READ ALSO:
Grade 10 prep: Migori principals trained for CBC Senior School rollout
Bishop Silas Mugo of the National African Independent Church of East Africa (NICA), Meru branch, stressed the importance of collaboration among religious, traditional, and political leaders in tackling the issue head-on.
“We must work together across all sectors to protect our children and secure their future,” he said.
Imam Abdikadir Ousam of Meru Prison echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for open conversations around teenage sexuality and the role of comprehensive sex education in preventing early pregnancies.
“Honest discussions about sex education are not a luxury; they are a necessity,” Imam Ousam said.
Speakers at the forum also underscored the critical role of parents, urging families to engage more deeply in guiding and supporting their children through adolescence.
With the crisis intensifying, stakeholders call for sustained, community-driven solutions to protect young girls and ensure they stay in school.
By John Majau.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
