Health CS Susan Nakhumicha together with Zipporah Kittony during the Women Summit in Bungoma. Kittony was the chief guest. [Mercy Kahenda, Standard]
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Additionally, 254,753 girls aged between 10 and 19 years were pregnant in 2023.

"A quarter of a million?" posed the CS.

In an emotional speech, Nakhumicha gave her encounter with a nine-year-old girl in a labour ward in Meru County, in December last year.

She said the girl looked weak during labour but stood strong to deliver twins.

"...we cried. A nine-year-old girl was carrying twins!"

She said the consequences of sexual violence and child motherhood are dire, including maternal deaths, and long-lasting psychological and physical challenges.

Also, babies born to young mothers experience adverse health outcomes, leading to a strain on health and economic outcomes for the nation.

 Health CS Susan Nakhumicha in a light moment with other women leaders during the Women Summit in Bungoma. [Mercy Kahenda, Standard]

In the five Western counties namely Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, and Trans-Nzoia, at least 15 per cent (38,025) attendees at antenatal clinics were adolescents aged 10-19.

The counties also reported 18 per cent (3,677) cases of sexual and gender-based violence against children and adolescents.

"I want to ask all of us to step forward and do something for ourselves, our mothers, our aunties, our daughters and all women in communities that we live in.

The world over, women are standing to do something about the health of women and girls," added Ms Nakhumicha.

Further, the CS said Kenya is yet to eliminate communicable diseases.

Nationally in 2023, about 12,558 women and girls were newly infected with HIV as compared to 5, 122 men and boys.

Also, Kenya's efforts to stop new HIV infections among children remain compromised according to the official, with 4,474 acquiring HIV through mother transmission.

"Our efforts to halt and reverse the HIV epidemic which disproportionately affects women and girls are yet to bear fruit," said the CS.

On her part, NSDCC CEO Dr Ruth Laibon Masha said a multidisciplinary campaign is needed to end the triple threat.

 NSDCC CEO Dr Ruth Masha gives her presentation during the Women Summit in Bungoma. [Mercy Kahenda, Standard]

Masha said NSDCC in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Education and other stakeholders want to make sure adolescent mothers get back to school and educate the community to stop complacency.

On her part, Bungoma Deputy Governor Jenipher Mbatiany asked women leaders to raise resources to support girls from poor family backgrounds with sanitary towels in schools.

Bungoma County is leading in Sexual and gender-based violence and is ranked among the top counties in new HIV infections.

"Bungoma has in the recent past featured bad news. We are not doing well. When high cases of GBV and teen pregnancies are raised, Bungina becomes the main talk" said Mbayiany.

Recently, at least 54 girls in a single school in Bungoma were reported to be pregnant.

The Deputy Governor said a list of shame of men impregnating girls should be provided to help fight the vice.