Kajiado County Commissioner Michael Yator has raised an alarm over increasing cases of teenage pregnancies and early marriages in the county, urging parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s safety and well-being.
“I urge parents to closely take care of their children, both boys and girls, and always be aware of where they are,” he said, calling on communities to abandon harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), which he noted significantly fuels early marriages and teenage pregnancies.
This comes after authorities rescued a 14-year-old Grade 7 pupil from an early marriage. The girl, who reportedly eloped with a casual labourer on December 28, 2025, was traced to the suspect’s rural home in Kitale County and placed in a safe facility where she is receiving counselling.
Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect, identified as Mark Wafula, who escaped arrest, while his mother and brother were detained for harbouring a minor, as multi-agency teams from Kajiado and Kitale pursue him.
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Yator reiterated his appeal for vigilance, stressing that parental oversight is critical to preventing exploitation and abuse. He urged communities to reject FGM and other practices that expose girls to early marriage and pregnancy, warning that the consequences are already visible in local health data.
He revealed that nearly half of the births reported at Mashuuru Hospital involve teenage mothers, underscoring the urgency of coordinated action by families, schools, and local leaders.
By Masaki Enock
