15 year old girl school rescued from early marriage

A 15-year-old girl was yesterday rescued from an early marriage at Shabaa village in Samburu Central.

The Standard Seven pupil at Shabaa Primary School said she had been forcibly married off to a 26-year-old-man in Mararal by her mother and uncle.

Area assistant chief Selina Lemakara, who aided the rescue, said the man had bought blankets and paid dowry to the girl's family.

The two families agreed that more cows would be paid as dowry after the girl settles down with the man.

"The minor asked her 'husband', who stays at Kisima trading centre, for permission to join her family during Christmas festivities and that is when she was rescued," said Ms Lemakara.

"I am calling on parents to educate their girls and stop marrying them off at an early age," she said.

Samburu Central Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Nyakundi said the girl's mother, uncle and suitor, who are at large, would be arrested and charged.