Church leaders in Emurrua Dikkr, Narok County, have called for a ban on night meetings, saying the gatherings are exposing schoolgirls to risks including early and teenage marriages.
Led by African Gospel Church (AGC) leader Cosmas Rotich, the clerics said some of the night meetings had contributed to social problems that threaten girls' education and prospects. Speaking during a meeting in the area, Rotich said teenage marriages were a major threat to girls' education and called for decisive action to protect them. "Girls should be protected, and perpetrators should also be dealt with," he said.
Rotich said church leaders had taken steps to suspend night meetings within their congregations, adding that the move would also give candidates enough time to prepare for forthcoming examinations. "We have also suspended night meetings as clerics because candidates need ample time to prepare for the forthcoming examinations," he said.
Bishop Benard Siele of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) echoed his sentiments, saying girls' education should be prioritised. Siele called for concerted efforts by parents, religious leaders, community members and other stakeholders to ensure girls remain in school and achieve their aspirations.
The clerics said churches were also conducting awareness campaigns to sensitise residents on the importance of educating the girl child and protecting girls from practices that could derail their education. They urged the community to work together to address teenage pregnancies and early marriages, which they said continued to affect girls in the region.
The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey has documented concerns around adolescent pregnancies in Kenya, with stakeholders in Narok promising to support initiatives aimed at reversing the trend. Church leaders said sustained community sensitisation and stronger protection measures would be key to helping girls stay in school and realise their dreams.
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