Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has put county governors on the spot over high rates of teenage pregnancies issuing red cards to 20 governors.
In a statement seen by The Kenya Times, the commission expressed its concerns over the increasing number of teenage pregnancies in the country highlighting the need to address it.
The human rights team, headed by Executive Director Davis Malombe, along with Deputy Executive Cornelius Odour highlighted findings from a report by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC).
“As we approach the International Women’s Day celebrations, we must address a pressing issue plaguing our society: the crisis of unintended teenage pregnancies in Kenya, which comes with gross human rights violations,” read the statement in part.
The human rights commission pointed these cases following a report by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) who sounded the alarm.
NSDCC report revealed that in 2023, an average of 696 girls were impregnated daily.
Causes of Teen Pregnancy
While also reviewing the data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, the commission noted that some teenage pregnancies were caused by poverty, sexual gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices and school closures experienced in 2020.
“These numbers are a result of, among others, a lack of access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and education,” the statement continued.
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The Commission urged the Council of Governors to investigate the crisis and offer policies for the prevention and management of teenage pregnancies.
Parents on the other hand have also been encouraged to ensure wellbeing and welfare of children in accordance with the Children’s Act.
“The parents must in line with the Children’s Act and the constitution of Kenya, promote the well-being and welfare of their children,” noted KHCR.
The human rights body has also criticized the county leaders for failing to take concrete actions to address the issue of unintended teenage pregnancies impacting girls aged 15 to 19 years.
Ten governors were listed for failing to take measures to reduce teenage pregnancies, while another ten were listed as having the highest per capita involvement in contributing to the issue of teen pregnancies.
Nairobi Leading with Teenage Pregnancies
Nairobi County led by Governor Johnson Sakaja was listed as the leading devolved unit with the number of teenage pregnancies.
It has 452, Kakamega 328, Bungoma 294, Kilifi 224, Meru 206, Kisii 192, Machakos 178 while Narok had 176 cases.
The regions with the greatest individual contribution to teenage pregnancies per capita were Samburu at 50.1 percent, followed by West Pokot at 36.3 percent, and Marsabit at 29.4 percent.
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Other notable regions included Migori at 23 percent, Kajiado at 21.8 percent, and Baringo at 20.3 percent.
Additionally, Siaya recorded a rate of 20.9 percent, Taveta at 18 percent, Trans Nzoia at 17.9 percent, and Isiolo at 16.7 percent, respectively.
According to KHRC, the causes of teenage pregnancies has led to significant human rights violations for girls aged 15 to 19.
These violations encompass the right to education, life, dignity, health, equality, and freedom from discrimination and violence, as outlined in the Kenyan Constitution.
“The Ministry of Health should reaffirm commitment to comprehensive sexual education, while the Ministry of Education must ensure pregnant teenage girls are welcomed back to school without discrimination and provided with necessary support,” noted KHRC.
