The Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya Musalia Mudavadi has raised concern about the rising cases of teenage pregnancies in the country.
He called for urgent action to be taken in order to protect girls from abuse.
The Prime CS was speaking at the Western Kenya Women’s Conference, where he recalled statistics that reveal that while overall vulnerability for Kenyan girls stands at 14.9% certain counties have indicated alarmingly high rates of teenage pregnancy. This includes the counties of Bungoma (18.6%), Busia (18.3%), Trans Nzoia (17.8%), Kakamega (15.1%) and Vihiga (7.7%).
In addition, He said that a Kenya Demographic and Health Survey done recently indicated that Nairobi City County had recorded (8.4)% of teenage pregnancies.
Mudavadi said that the situation was a huge concern and that the increasing number of children that are having children should be taken seriously.
He promised to support efforts to empower and protect women and girls and urged for a radical shift in policy and said that the country should borrow ideas from the US Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
WIOA is designed to help those who are seeking jobs to access employment, education, training and support services needed to succeed in the job market.
Mudavadi also implored women to take charge of empowering and guiding citing the story of a young girl from Lugari in Kakamega County who was forced to become a mother at an early age.
The girl (Cynthia) told those present that she had become an orphan at a young age and was forced into motherhood at the age of 13 because of a lack of parental support.
Mudavadi described her story as an eye-opener to society and promised to stand with women in the Western region to come up with ways of empowering themselves and protecting vulnerable girls.
Mudavadi also spoke about the HIV/Aids crisis where he called for urgent action to be taken to tackle the issue.
He said that the resurgent situation of HIV/Aids is targeting young people between the ages of 15 and 30 regardless of their tribe, class or political party.
The Prime CS reminded Kenyans of the importance of protecting vulnerable girls and women. He emphasized how crucial the role of women in empowering and guiding the younger generation is a positive step towards addressing the issues.