Shock as 4,000 School Girls Impregnated in Machakos in Three Months
The Children’s Department in Machakos has raised alarm after it emerged that nearly 4,000 school-going children have been impregnated in the county in the past three months.
The pregnancies were recorded since mid-March when the government ordered the closure of all learning institutions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Children’s Department Officer Salome Muthama.
Muthama while addressing reporters on Wednesday said a large number the 3,964 cases involve girls whose parents live in urban areas but took their kids to their grandparents in the villages. She said this exposes the minors to sex pests.
"Most of these cases you will find involve children who were taken from urban centers in the wake of Covid-19 and left in the hands of their grandmothers in the countryside as the parents returned to the towns," she said.
104 pregnancies of children between the ages of 10 and 14 were reported in Masinga sub-county and an additional 600 comprising girls aged between 15 and 19.
In Athi River, there are 7 pregnancies of girls of the age ranging from 10 to 14 while 561 cases involve those aged 15 and 19. Machakos sub-County has 48 pregnancy cases (ages 10 to 14) and 259 (ages 15 to 19) while Yatta has 10 (ages 10 to 14) and 462 (ages 15 to 19).
Muthama placed the blame on parents, accusing them of neglecting their obligations of protecting the minors. She indicated that a majority of the cases involve close relatives.
She asked the Judiciary to provide the Children’s Department with legal advisors to speed up the prosecution of sex offenders.
Comments
Kwani when do girls start…
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Kwani when do girls start menstruating these days?
That's one dumb question…
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In reply to Kwani when do girls start… by Mucene (not verified)
That's one dumb question which is self explanatory unless you are a wasp.
It just another consequence…
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In reply to Kwani when do girls start… by Mucene (not verified)
It just another consequence of Uhuru Kenyatta stupidity.
Magufuli is right not to shutdown the Tanzania.
Who is impregnating them?…
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Who is impregnating them? Should some of these "fathers to be" be prosecuted for statutory rape of girls? I hope they are all accessing maternal health services such as prenatal care. Their lives are in danger, especially, the little ones. After the girls give birth, they should go back to school. By now, parents should know that their children are sexually active and should choose to give them sexual and reproductive health education and products such as condoms to prevent HIV and unwanted pregnancy. If they were raped, churches who condemn abortion should step in and take care of the babies, or people who wish to adopt them. Then, all these girls need to go back to school ASAP. Don't be surprised if some of them become pregnant again, if they don't get SRH services.
The lockdown must end. It…
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In reply to Who is impregnating them?… by Muchina (not verified)
The lockdown must end.
It was foolish and the Kenyan government will reap what it sowed.
Anyone could have predicted…
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Anyone could have predicted this with the current irrational shutdown and no plan in place to keep the youth engaged. In fact, when the country statistics are out, this will be a countrywide phenomenon; differentiated only by the amount of nyeged-ness of various communities.
@Soldieron, exactly! This…
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In reply to Anyone could have predicted… by Soldieron (not verified)
@Soldieron, exactly! This should have been expected by anyone with common sense. Why do we have women reps in Kenya to advocate for these girl.
Women leaders have become useless. All they think about is how they can be wives to rich married men. Be the second wives.
Men leaders are definitely not role models. Perhaps some are perpetrators in this.
To my guess. This is…
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To my guess. This is happening in every country in Kenya.
If anyone, repeat anyone,…
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If anyone, repeat anyone, has information on 10 to 17 year old girls getting pregnant, and is not reporting same to law enforcement, then, that person is equally guilty. In this case, the Children's Department in Machakos has failed the children it's supposed to protect. Keeping/publishing statistics does not offer any protection.
Parents, Parents and parents…
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Parents, Parents and parents, why did you abandon your children?
@Mucene....bro you would be…
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@Mucene....bro you would be surprised. The kids today at 10 mature at a rate never seen before. Maajabu nakwambia! The boys equally not far behind. Lakini, preggo at 10? Ngai!
The Kenyan government will…
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The Kenyan government will take care of the children.
They put and enforced a lockdown.
Lockdowns have consequences.
“She indicated that a…
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“She indicated that a majority of the cases involve close relatives”
You cannot blame the lockdown...Blame a society of sexually deviant men who go unpunished from top to bottom! Kenyan families look the other way! All are guilty except the young girls.
It’s the lockdown. They…
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In reply to “She indicated that a… by Mathayo (not verified)
It’s the lockdown.
They would be safer in boarding schools.
I do not blame the parents…
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I do not blame the parents in all but greatest blame should be pointed to pulpit deliquescy. The clergy has failed wholesomely to address the youth.
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