Parents and leaders in Bungoma have been left concerned after a school revealed that at least 36 of its girls are pregnant, with others having already given birth.
The shocking figures were disclosed by Bakisa Senior School Principal Ruth Mulika during a parents’ meeting in Webuye East Sub-County.
The revelation has triggered calls for urgent action to establish what is behind the high number of teenage pregnancies and protect learners from sexual exploitation.
Local politician Martin Namasaka urged parents, teachers and government officials to work together instead of blaming the affected girls.
“This is not a moment for pointing fingers, but rather a time for collective action to protect the girls and secure their future,” Namasaka said.
He called for stronger mentorship programmes and closer cooperation between parents and schools to address the problem.
Namasaka also urged education and security authorities to enforce laws protecting minors and take action against anyone found to have violated the rights of children.
The disclosure has raised fresh concerns about the safety of teenage girls in the area, particularly as some of the affected learners have already become mothers.
Stakeholders have been asked to establish the circumstances surrounding the pregnancies while ensuring that the affected girls receive support to continue with their education.
Parents have also been urged to improve communication with their children and work closely with schools to identify risks before they disrupt their education.
The school administration has not publicly identified the people responsible for the pregnancies, and authorities have not announced any arrests linked to the cases.
The revelations come at a time when teenage pregnancy remains a major challenge to girls’ education, with affected learners often facing interruptions to their schooling and increased pressure at home.
For the Bakisa community, the immediate focus is now on finding out how the 36 cases occurred and putting measures in place to prevent more girls from dropping out of school.