A joint survey by performance monitoring for action and Kilifi County government indicate that the teen pregnancies have increased by 30 percent where between 2021 and 2022 Kilifi County recorded 5,581 cases of teenage pregnancies.
The survey further indicates that one in five adolescent aged 15 -19 years are already mothers or pregnant with their first child, 1396 of the recorded cases are children between 10 and 14 years.
According to Kilifi County Persons for Reproductive Sex Maternal Child and Adolescent Health, Kenneth Miriti, the Ministry of Education forbids sex education to children of that age bracket by other stakeholders except those that are in the curriculum.
“Hunger. High cost of living and poverty have been cited as the main causes of the rise of teenage pregnancies in the county, “said Miriti. Additionally, Miriti said building and sustaining community awareness on adolescents, sexual and reproductive health should be considered in the campaign for teen pregnancy.
Amina Kasyoka, a community health volunteer says that parents need to talk to their children on the dangers of premarital sex. “Sex topic is a taboo for discussion, that makes it hard to talk about premarital sex yet our children are having sex,” said Amina.
Moreover Christine Kache, a girl child ambassador in Kilifi County said that interventions of the Interior CS Kindiki Kithure earlier this year to crack down disco matanga organizers in Kilifi County was worth it to engage teenagers in junior secondary schools.
“We appreciate what the government is doing to fight teenage pregnancies, cracking down disco matanga organizers will minimize the situation, our girls are starting families at a tender age, “said Kache.
According to Christine Kache sensitization and mentorship programmes will enable the teenagers in Kilifi County understand the issues well.
“We have a plan to do vigorous campaigns in sensitizing the teenagers in the Junior Secondary Schools in Kilifi County and also to partner with chiefs in the area so as to create baraza meetings to influence parents and guardians to talk to their daughters at homes, “said Kache.
Marvine Caren Ochieng, a research assistant nurse notes that 3600 pregnant young women in Kilifi County have benefitted from a tracking maternal health programme in Kilifi County.
According to Caren, the 3-year project seeks to analyze the need for checkups before delivery and after delivery. “We did a follow up tracking pregnant women during antenatal until they delivered and after delivery they come for the first visit at 3 months, then the second visit at 1 year, the third visit after 2 years and the last visit at 3 years.
“We want to understand the outcome of the pregnancy if women encounter problems during pregnancies or after delivery or if babies delay in growth because their mothers had maternal issues during pregnancy, “said Caren
Additionally, Kadzo Nyamai recalls how the CODVID-19 pandemic hit her as Kilifi County was among the counties that experienced lockdown to minimize COVID -19 infections.
“I still remember, our family had no money for food, I met my boyfriend who said he would support me and so we started the friendship which led to the unplanned pregnancy, he said he was not interested in the baby as he had a family so I had to use local concoctions to get rid of the baby, “said Kadzo.
As Kenyans were anxious for the COVID -19 measures to be lifted Kadzo Nyamai was still battling depression making her to engage in another relationship in the year 2020.
Kadzo recalls the situation with deep concern and notes that her poverty situation at home made her to get pregnant as she had to look for a way out to get money.
“Our financial situation at home had gotten worse as my mother had no savings and her business had flopped due to the pandemic, I met a young man who informed me that he will place me in their company as a casual labourer and we cultivated our friendship which later got me pregnant and seeing that I was pregnant the man disappeared, leaving my calls answered. I had to terminate the pregnancy as no one could support me and the baby ,my family had no money at all ,“said the bubbly girl.
Escaping gossiping and ill talks in her neighborhood Kadzo had to present herself boldly and confidently and proceed with her normal life.
“I feared ill talks in my neighborhood and stigma so I had to keep busy sewing door mats using pieces of used materials from tailors and I met a man who decided to support me despite not having clients, we were good friends and in no time, I realized I was pregnant which he later dismissed my pregnancy I got rid of it as I did not want a baby without a father figure. “said Kache.
Bouncing back to the limelight as Kenyans proceed to grow the economy, Kadzo is a beneficiary of family planning program in Mariakani Sub County Hospital that enables teenagers get mentorship and to lead safe reproductive health lives.
“I thank the family planning mentorship as through it, I get mentorship talks as I was really depressed while procuring the abortions. It is also a safe place as I can explain my experiences without any worry, and get to plan when to have my family, “said Kache.
“The programme has shaped me to be a great speaker in the nearby schools, I am confident and I see my future and not dwelling on my past. I work hand in hand with school patrons to enlighten the girls who are still young. “said Kache.
Additionally Kache notes that sensitization seminars have helped her get upkeep to enable to buy meals for her family and not to be deceived by men also making parents understand the importance to talk to their daughters.
“I can now buy meals for my family and not fall into traps that will get me into troubles. My family appreciates my work, my meetings help parents appreciate the need to talk to their daughters in enabling mutual understanding with their daughters,“said Kache.
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