School Struggles With 54 Teenage Pregnancies
St Thomas Aquinas Chesikaki Secondary School is in the midst of a historic crisis. The school, which is located in Cheptais, a community at the foot of Mount Elgon, is a colonial-era institution with a long history dating back to 1972.
Experiencing a shift from its previous academic success, the school is now grappling with a pressing issue that underscores the broader challenge of rising teenage pregnancies in Bungoma County.
Out of a total female student population of 500, a staggering 54 are confirmed to be pregnant, with concerns that undisclosed cases may further escalate this alarming number.
The victims’ terrible stories illuminate the devastating repercussions of adolescent pregnancy in a society where education has long been seen as a beacon of hope.
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A Form Two student, identified as Chepkemoi (not her real name), revealed that her friends introduced her to a man who later became her boyfriend, providing her with everything she needed.
As a result, she is now seven months pregnant. Chepkemoi expressed that she lacked the support of parents who could help her continue with her education while taking care of her child. Currently, she resides with her grandparents.
Anna, a young mother, sits next to Chepkemoi. She is one of 31 young mothers who have been allowed to return to school. Despite her gratitude for the chance, she admits that combining parenthood and schooling has been difficult.
Anna shared that she relies on casual work to support her child.
Being raised by a single, unemployed mother, she clarified that her need to work stems from the responsibility of providing financial support for both her mother and her child.
The school’s principal, Boiyo Paul, has requested that the Bungoma County Government intervene immediately to address the fundamental causes of teenage pregnancies.
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Boiyo expressed concern about the situation during a routine check of school services and student welfare. The data he collected revealed that there are 31 teen mothers who have successfully delivered, along with an additional 20 girls who are expecting.
These cases involve students from Form One to Form Four, and unfortunately, three girls have dropped out of school. Boiyo finds this situation very disheartening.
Boiyo blames the spike in teen pregnancy instances in this school to poverty, the presence of drugs, and a backward cultural climate.
This, he claims, has hindered girls from freely discussing puberty and menstruation with their parents, as well as seeking incorrect counsel from their classmates and an already deteriorating society.
Boiyo blames the spike in teen pregnancy instances in this school to poverty, the presence of drugs, and a backward cultural climate.
This, he claims, has hindered girls from freely discussing puberty and menstruation with their parents, as well as seeking incorrect counsel from their classmates and an already deteriorating society.
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Boiyo pointed out that the lack of access to sanitary towels compounds the challenges faced by girls, pushing some of them into the dire choice of early pregnancies.
The experiences of Ann and Chepkemoi highlight the critical need for comprehensive support networks for young moms, emphasizing the need of creating an environment that allows them to pursue their education while juggling the obligations of parenthood.
The scenario in Chesikaki is not unique; according to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2022, Bungoma County has a teenage pregnancy prevalence of 19%, which is higher than the national rate of 15%. Pregnancies among women aged 15 to 19 years were observed at 4.6 percent in Vihiga County and 3.8 percent in Kisumu.
Jenepher Mbatiany, Deputy Governor of Bungoma, acknowledges the gravity of the problem.
Mbatiany reported that the county documented 7,270 teenage pregnancy cases between January and July 2023, including 196 cases involving teenagers aged 10-14 years.
He noted that this data only represents those who visited health facilities and were documented, suggesting that the actual number might be much higher, considering those in villages and some suffering in silence who are yet to come forward.
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Mbatiany also highlighted that the numbers for 2022 and 2021 were equally alarming, signaling a red flag for the county.
Bungoma is not alone; Vihiga County is in the grip of a terrifying crisis, with incidents of Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and teen pregnancies on the rise.
Boaz Aliona, a Clinical Officer at Vihiga Health Centre who specializes in SGBV cases, is deeply concerned about the rising number of incidences, despite community sensitization efforts.
Aliona highlighted that, on average, the health facility records 10 cases of teenage pregnancies per month, leading to approximately 100 pregnancies every year. She emphasized the need for urgency in addressing this issue at its roots, especially within vulnerable age groups.
Incest cases are particularly prevalent in Vihiga County’s sub-counties of Hamisi, Lwanda, and Emuhaya, signaling the need for specialized interventions in these areas.
Beatrice Otuma, a human rights campaigner in Vihiga, confirms that cultural barriers have played a significant role in the rise in teen defilement and pregnancy.
Beatrice Otuma pointed out that in her community, cases of defilement and incest are widespread but often concealed by family members. She highlighted a belief among the Banyore tribe that when a relative is defiled, the victim cannot testify in court, as it is considered a curse.
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Expressing concern, Otuma says that a multitude of victims endure their suffering in silence. The affected teens face stigmatization within their families, often being regarded as curses.
Young human rights defender and campaigner, Euphresher Ageyo, emphasized the entrenched nature of these cases in the culture, stressing the necessity for men to actively engage in addressing the issue. Ageyo also pointed out the risks faced by human rights defenders like herself when pursuing legal remedies.
Ageyo discloses that cases in her community are frequently concealed through kangaroo courts, where victims’ families negotiate settlements with perpetrators behind the scenes, often involving community elders.
She expressed the challenges faced when pursuing legal action, citing direct threats, physical attacks, and intimidation. Ageyo mentioned having several cases in court and recounting an incident where a perpetrator attacked her, warning her to drop the case or face consequences for her family.
Some cases are dropped as victims are threatened or relocated. Ageyo emphasized that addressing this issue requires men to actively advocate for the rights of girls.
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS). Intimate partners are the most common culprits, accounting for 63% of reported instances. Fathers, stepfathers, brothers, and other relatives account for 5.6% of defilement cases.
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Bungoma County Police Commander Francis Kooli attributes the high number of teen pregnancies in the county to the proliferation of alcohol dens near schools. By ordering the closure of these dens, he has taken strong action.
The police commander, Francis Kooli, issued a stern warning, emphasizing that law enforcement will undertake a thorough sweep of the entire region to apprehend all culprits responsible for these heinous acts.
School Struggles With 54 Teenage Pregnancies