Teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and female genital mutilation (FGM) are significant barriers to education in West Pokot County.
Despite efforts from the government and other organizations, these issues remain severe, particularly affecting girls aged 12 to 18.
Many of these girls drop out of school before completing eighth grade.
The 2022 health report from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) ranks West Pokot County as having the second-highest rates of early pregnancies in Kenya, at 36%, and FGM at 44%.
Attempts to address these harmful practices have largely failed, leading to worsening conditions.
Poor living situations also contribute to early pregnancies and future economic hardships.
Teachers report that these issues are often caused by already married men.
Consolata Sortum, head teacher at Holy Rosary Secondary School, said many girls stop attending school because their parents do not help prevent these abuses.
Parents sometimes collaborate with abusers and keep these cases hidden.
“Many girls get pregnant and contract infections, which makes them drop out of school,” Sortum said.
At Bakhita Girls’ Secondary School, head teacher Grace Kakuko reported that 25 students did not return for the second term due to pregnancy.
Kakuko urged parents to take more responsibility, noting that many pregnancies occur when the girls are at home.
“As teachers, we are ready to help these students continue their education,” Kakuko said, asking local chiefs and leaders to assist in finding and bringing the girls back to school.
Samuel Kapultin, head teacher at Sebit Secondary School, confirmed that three girls at the school have become pregnant this year.
“Last year, one girl was pregnant during exams, and this year, three girls are pregnant.
Many children work in stone quarries to support themselves,” Kapultin said.
Jefferson Mudaki from Declares Kenya reported 8,700 cases of early pregnancies this year.
“We hoped these numbers would drop after the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are still rising,” Mudaki said.
He stressed the need for more funding for reproductive health programs and better policies.
Mudaki added that discussing sexuality is taboo in this pastoralist community and warned against spreading false information for political gain.
Consolata Siree, a reproductive health officer, noted that early pregnancies have serious mental and educational effects on students.
According to the 2022 report from the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK), there are 42,770 children in the county who are not in school.
“All stakeholders must support education and ensure every child attends school,” Wamae said, urging local chiefs to assist with school registrations and emphasize education.
He also called on residents to support education and reject harmful traditions, emphasizing that progress is impossible without education.
The government has been working to reintegrate 3,400 students into school.
Parent Jane Karipuka highlighted the need for protection for children.
A 16-year-old girl revealed that many girls cannot afford sanitary pads and that some who offer help ask for sex in return.
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