By Ben Leshau
As the country mark this year’s Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Narok has registered high rate of girls dropping out of schools due to teen pregnancies occasioned by the illegal practice.
Governor Samuel Tunai revealed that a total of 10,000 school
girls-aged between 14 and 18 have dropped out of school in the county in the past one year.
The Governor who spoke at Ng’oswani area in Narok West Sub-County recently said the situation was made worse by Covid-19 that saw schools closed to curb the spread of the virus.
“As we speak, Narok leads in the whole country in teenage pregnancies with over 40% prevalence, which is unfortunate and needs urgent intervention by authorities,” decried Tunai.
He challenged parents to shun from the retrogressive cultural
practices that are posing a threat to the future of the girl child
education.
Mr Tunai who was accompanied by Livestock/Fisheries Chief Administrate Secretary (CAS) and former Anti-FGM Board Chair Linah Kilimo reiterated that the young mothers should be returned back to school to proceed with their education.
Governor’s sentiments were echoed by Kilimo who warned parents against marrying off their daughters after getting pregnant.
“Mistakes do happen and when a girl falls pregnant due to ignorance she deserves a second chance to access education,” advised Kilimo.
She said the pregnancy should not be an impediment to girls getting their right to education and arents should not give up on their daughters.
She however exuded confidence that with concerted efforts and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s commitment, FGM will come to an end.
Area County Commissioner Mr Evans Achoki also threatened to arrest parents who will not return their girls to school after giving birth.