A sharp rise in teenage pregnancies, school dropouts and Sexual Gender Based Violence has sparked public outrage in Meru County, with leaders calling for urgent action to protect minors and enforce the law.
Local leaders have called for coordinated action involving families, law enforcement, education officials and the clergy to curb the rising cases and restore safety for children across the county.
Speaking at his County Senate office premises during a mentorship program to more than 400 students sponsored by Kamashinani Foundation, senator Kathuri Murungi said he was “deeply shocked” to find teenagers who were already parents.
Murungi condemned a growing trend where perpetrators negotiate with parents to settle statutory pregnancy and rape cases out of court, often involving gifts such as livestock.
“I was shocked that many of the men responsible for impregnating girls as young as 9 and 15 were old men like me. “It is sad to see very young girls dropping out of school and no action taken because the matter was settled out of court,” Kathuri said.
He urged chiefs, assistant chiefs and Nyumba Kumi members to intensify community surveillance and ensure perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted without exception.
“You have a responsibility to safeguard the rights of our children. No negotiations,” the senator insisted.
The concerns come just a week after disturbing videos circulated online showing a young woman being gang-raped by a group of men in Meru, an incident that has drawn widespread condemnation.
Murungi appealed to religious leaders to intervene spiritually and through awareness creation describing the surge in sexual crimes as “extremely disappointing and embarrassing.”
Meanwhile, Nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya (ZK) also weighed in, urging young girls to make responsible decisions regarding their sexual health and future.
“Never make the wrong choice because it will bring you trouble every time,” Kinya said. “It is your responsibility to ensure you don’t get pregnant — not your parents’, not your teachers’, and not even the man who impregnates you. Young souls, make the right choice.”
Kinya called on Meru leaders to deliver on their mandate especially intervening against the rampant Gender Based Violence, defilement rape and teenage Pregnancies.
“It is shameful that leaders give excuses whereas they have a lot of money and budgets but don’t want to spend any amount to sensitize residents affected by GBV and draught,” she said.
Kinya said she made a personal commitment while in school not to get pregnant, insisting that early pregnancies can derail education and long-term aspirations.
