Over 140 schoolgirls fell pregnant last year in Mt Elgon

By DANIEL PSIRMOI

At least 140 schoolgirls fell pregnant in Mt Elgon Constituency last year, a parliamentary committee has been told.

The House committee on education was further informed that two teachers have been interdicted in the region over sexual relationships with schoolgirls. The team was on a fact-finding mission on underage pregnancies in the region and issues impeding education of the girl child.

Led by Dr Susan Chebet, who is the Woman Representative for Elgeyo/ Marakwet County, the committee toured the region in the wake of an exposé mid last year of widespread underage pregnancies, which saw 18 girls drop out of Chepkurkur Primary School.

“I can confirm two teachers have been sent home after involving themselves in sexual activities with schoolgirls. One was a teacher at Kubra Primary School in Cheptais District and another at Sendera Secondary School, Mt Elgon District,” said David Mogaka, the area’s District Education Staffing Officer, at a meeting between the members of the committee and local education and security stakeholders at Kapsokwony.

Addressing the Press after chairing the forum, Dr Chebet expressed shock at the high number of underage pregnancies in the region and regretted that nothing much has been done to mitigate the cases.

“We have been told that over 140 underage girls fell pregnant in Mt Elgon last year. This is shocking and I believe the numbers might be higher as some cases might have gone unreported.  We hope the recommendations we will come up with will save the girl child in Mt Elgon,” said Chebet.

security agencies

During a plenary session with residents and the community around Chepkurkur Primary School, locals told the committee that lack of proper housing was one of the key factors fuelling teen pregnancies.

According to the residents, the Sabaot Land Defence Force instigated clashes between 2006-2008 left many homeless after both the militia and security agencies burnt down houses and destroyed property.

They pointed out that their resettlement as IDPs was hurriedly carried out, and they did not receive assistance from the State.

“Most of us have huts for houses. And according to Sabaot traditions, it’s not permitted for parents to sleep in same room with their children.  We let the children sleep in our neighbours’ homes and they fall prey to molesters,” said Stephen  Murkeu, whose 13-year-old daughter was among those who fell pregnant.