![Kiminini Sub-County leads in the number of pregnancies recorded among girls aged between 15 and 19 years old. [PHOTO | FILE]](https://k24.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CHILD-PREGNANCY.jpg)
By Richard Saka in Trans Nzoia County.
At least 11,840 teenage girls in Trans Nzoia County have been confirmed pregnant as of August 18, 2020, says Evans Kaumo, the area deputy county commissioner.
Speaking at the county headquarters in Kitale on Tuesday, August 18, Kaumo said the five sub-counties in Trans Nzoia have recorded at least 1,800 teenage pregnancies each.
The deputy county commissioner said Endebess Sub-County leads in the number of pregnancies recorded among girls aged between 10 and 14 years old. Kwanza Sub-County is second, followed by Kiminini, Saboti and Cherangany respectively.
Kiminini, however, leads in the number of pregnancies recorded among girls aged between 15 and 19 years old.
Statistics shared by Kaumo show that Kiminini, which has recorded 3,366 teenage pregnancies, has the highest number of school-going children who are expectant. Saboti Sub-County comes second with 2,424 underage pregnancies confirmed, followed by Cherangany (2,157), Kwanza (2,017) and Endebess (1,878).
Health CEC in Trans Nzoia County, Claire Wanyama, urged all stakeholders including parents, the clergy, teachers and area leaders to work together so as to reduce the number of underage pregnancies recorded in the area by sensitising girls on the need to practice abstinence.
“We are also urging authorities to ensure that the men who defile these minors are arrested and prosecuted,” said Wanyama.
Deputy county commissioner Kaumo said a majority of the pregnancies were conceived during the school break occasioned by COVID-19 outbreak in Kenya.
All elementary and tertiary institutions in the country were closed on March 15, 2020 after the first COVID-19 case was registered on March 12.
