By Jeff Mwangi
Meru County has suffered a big blow because of lack of rainfall over the last few months.
A recent visit to Lailuba village in Tigania East sub-county revealed shocking information about school going girls, especially those living with disabilities. The village has four girls who have dropped out of school due to early pregnancies.
Tuongo Tweru Disability Caregivers Group Chairperson Ms Agnes Kaburo, who is also a mother of three daughters suffering from blindness, said about 30 caregivers in the village have been forced to be extra careful to protect the young girls who are easily being lured into sex in exchange of few coins or even food.
She added that there haven’t been rains in the region for the past three years and that getting water for domestic use has also become a problem. A 20 liter jerrican currently goes for Shs 20.
“In normal circumstances, one requires about five jerricans of water per day which means they spend Sh100 on water. Getting the money is a hurdle to families without any source of income and one wonders whether he is supposed to buy water or food,” said Ms. Kaburo.
Julius Mwitali, a resident, said the government through the Ministry of Interior should intervene immediately to cushion residents from the adverse effects of the drought.
He said the government should at least come in and ensure affected schools were enrolled in school feeding programmes that will enhance learners’ retention in the institutions.
” As a result of the drought, some students in day secondary schools who have not paid-up fees sometimes get locked up in rooms to allow those who have paid to eat the little food available ,” said Mr. Mwitali.
Mwitali added that some children opt to stay in school at lunch hour instead of going home for lunch unless they are sure there is food at home.
Mr Kubai Mamira, a community volunteer in the region said urgent measures should be taken by the government so as to protect young girls as well as other learners in the area.
He said some children are currently searching for wild fruits at least to cool their empty stomachs.
He expressed concern about the number of girls who might end up married as long as they are assured of getting food.
“Community volunteers in the area have a hard task of following up on impregnated girls to at least counsel them so that they can continue with their education even as they take care of their babies,” he said.
The situation is the same in other semi-arid areas of the county including some parts of Buuri, Tigania West, Igembe North and Igembe Central sub-counties.
