Parents blamed as 21 Narok school girls are impregnated

 Parents  blamed parents for collaborating with the culprits   Photo:Courtesy

Over 20 school girls in Narok have been impregnated and forced to drop out of school sparking fury within the Children's Office.

The girls aged between 12 and 16 years were learners at Ntarakuai Primary School, Loita High School and Ilkerin Boarding in Narok South sub-county.

The region's Children's Officer Julius Ngoko confirmed that six girls have already delivered while 15 are pregnant. "Ten girls are from Ntarakuai Primary, six Loita High School and five from Ilkerin Boarding," she said.

Mr Ngoko blamed parents for collaborating with the culprits and secretly planning to marry off their girls to suitors who impregnate them.

He warned that the Government would deal with such people, saying they are denying children their democratic right to education.

The officer said the girls got pregnant during the long November and December holidays.

He said his department had launched investigations to arrest and bring to book the men responsible for the pregnancies.

"We encourage the girls to go back to school after they deliver so that they can attain their dreams," he said.

A spot-check revealed that the number of girls dropping out of school due to pregnancies has been increasing yearly despite the numerous campaigns conducted by the Government in collaboration with NGOs.

Children's Office Social Worker Elizabeth Kasura said the office has handled over 70 cases of teenage pregnancies this year and added that many other cases have not been reported.

Elsewhere, a deputy principal in Bungoma claimed last month that residents were threatening him for exposing the pregnancies of 20 girls at Chelebei Secondary School.

David Emachar said the girls had been impregnated by fellow male students, local traders and boda boda riders.