Human Rights group fingers Nakhumicha, Sakaja on early pregnancies
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has named ten governors who have backtracked on fighting early pregnancies.
Surprisingly, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has been listed among the leaders who have been issued with red cards for not making tangible and progressive to curb unintended teenage pregnancies.
KHRC has issued red cards to 10 governors and Health CS Susan Nakhumincha for failing to make tangible and progressive steps to mitigate unintended teenage pregnancies.
The ten governors include Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Kenneth Lusaka of Bungoma, Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), Kawira Mwangaza (Meru), Simba Arati (Kisiii), and Narok Governor Mr Patrick Ole Ntutu.
The Commission says that teenage pregnancies would have been prevented if the named governors had implemented proactive measures and strategies to address them in their respective counties.
The rise in teenage pregnancies has been linked to Kenya’s withdrawal from the Eastern and Southern African (ESA) ministerial commitment to comprehensive sexual education, and other critical policies.
According to the lobby group, several human rights violations are experienced by girls aged 15 to 19.
Right to education, the right to life and dignity, right to health, the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, and the right to freedom and security of the person are among the challenges that are being faced by the girls according to KHRC.
“The above consequences amount to a violation of Article 53 (1) (d) of the constitution which provides that every child has a right to be protected from abuse neglect, harmful cultural practices, inhumane treatment and punishment among others,” the statement reads.
This comes against the backdrop of the 2022 data report released by the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) on ten counties with high number of teenage pregnancies, Nairobi was leading with 452, followed by Kakamega which had 328 cases, Bungoma 294, Nakuru 283, Kiambu 267, Kilifi 224, Meru 206, Kisii 192, Machakos 178, and Narok with 176 cases.
To curb the increase in teenage pregnancies, the Ministry of Health has been asked to commit to the ESA, and the Ministry of Education to ensure that every teenage girl who falls pregnant is unconditionally permitted back to school.
Also, Governor Lusaka has been asked to retract his earlier statement against schoolgirls who fall pregnant and commit to facilitating their education.
Further, the Council of Governors has been asked to interrogate the crisis as a matter of urgency and offer a collective voice on policy issues affecting the prevention and management of teenage pregnancies in the country.
Other governors who have been red-carded are Jonathan Lati lelelit of Samburu, Simon Kachapin of West Pokot, Mohammud Ali of Marsabit, Ochilo Ayako of Migori, Joseph Ole Lenku of Kajiado, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, James Orengo of Siaya, Taita Taveta’s Andrew Mwadime, and George Natembeya of Trans Nzoia.
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