A shocking encounter at Kerugoya County Referral Hospital has prompted the Kirinyaga County Assembly to take action against the growing challenge of teenage pregnancies by approving a motion aimed at helping adolescent mothers continue their education and acquire vocational skills.
The motion, sponsored by nominated MCA Grace Kamau, seeks to ensure that young mothers who are unable to return to formal schooling are enrolled in county polytechnics and vocational training centers, giving them a second chance to build their futures.
Kamau said the idea was born after a routine inspection tour of the county referral hospital, where she was confronted by the reality of the teenage pregnancy crisis affecting the region.
“I was shocked by the number of young girls attending the antenatal clinic. Many of them were accompanied by their mothers and guardians, and among them was a heavily pregnant 10-year-old girl,” Kamau said.
The legislator revealed that the sight left her deeply disturbed, prompting her to return to the facility after the official inspection to gather more information from health workers and understand the extent of the problem.
“As a former teacher, I understand the challenges that girls face when they become mothers at such a young age. I wanted to know whether what I had witnessed was an isolated case or part of a bigger problem,” she explained.
Her findings painted a grim picture. Armed with data from the hospital and county health officials, Kamau tabled a motion before the assembly, which received overwhelming support from fellow MCAs.
“It is heartbreaking that a 10-year-old child has already dropped out of school to give birth. We do not know whether she will be able to return to school, but through this motion, she and others like her can have an opportunity to join county polytechnics and learn skills that can help them become self-reliant,” she said.
Kamau disclosed that some cases were even more troubling, including that of a 10-year-old girl who reportedly suffered a mental breakdown and was admitted to a psychiatric ward.
County health records show that Kirinyaga registers approximately 2,000 adolescent pregnancies every year. In the first three months of 2026 alone, more than 600 cases were reported, raising fears that the county could surpass previous records if urgent interventions are not implemented.
The problem is particularly severe in Mwea East and Mwea West sub-counties, where health officials report that teenagers account for a significant proportion of expectant mothers attending antenatal clinics.
Kamau linked the trend to rising school dropout rates among girls in the region.
“Years ago, boys were the ones leaving school to work in the rice fields. Today, we are seeing more girls dropping out because of early pregnancies. Imagine a child raising another child. What happens when there is no parent or guardian to support them?” she posed.
Health officials have identified wards including Mwea East, Mwea West, Baragwi, Karumandi and Mukure as areas requiring urgent intervention through community awareness campaigns, reproductive health education and youth-friendly health services.
The assembly hopes the new program will not only help young mothers rebuild their lives but also reduce the long-term social and economic effects of teenage pregnancies across the county.
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