Over 200 girls at Kebaroti Mixed Secondary School in Kuria East Sub-County are set to benefit from a modern dormitory aimed at keeping them in school and reducing teenage pregnancies.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Migori Deputy Governor Gimunta Mahiri and Usawa Agenda Executive Director Dr Emmanuel Manyasa emphasised the importance of girls’ education and safety.

Dr Manyasa noted that girls in day schools were five times more likely to become pregnant before completing their education compared to those in boarding schools.

“We have also been urged to remember boys, but our focus is on girls because Migori and Homa Bay have the highest rates of teenage pregnancies. That is why we are prioritising girls, as they are in greater need of such infrastructure,” he said.

Data from the Ministry of Health shows that in 2021, Kenya recorded 316,187 adolescent pregnancies, with 294,364 cases among girls aged 15-19. Of these, 21,823 involved girls aged 10-14. In 2023, a total of 254,753 adolescents aged 10-19 attended antenatal clinics.

Manyasa encouraged parents to prioritise their children’s education, urging them not to use poverty as an excuse.

“God has blessed us abundantly. Let us not cite poverty when it comes to education. We must make sacrifices to ensure our children go to school. The government also has a role to play,” he stated.

Deputy Governor Mahiri announced that a committee had been formed to oversee the smooth progress of the project. He also urged the girls to take good care of the dormitory once completed.

“It will be a storeyed dormitory with toilets and water facilities,” Dr Mahiri said.

The first phase of the dormitory is expected to be completed by May this year, providing a safe boarding option for girls who currently trek long distances to school, exposing them to the risk of early pregnancies.

Mahiri expressed hope that, upon completion, they would be able to furnish the dormitory with beds.

The project, funded by the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, is set for completion by December.

“Maryknoll Fathers will provide the funds, and materials will be procured to ensure its completion,” Mahiri said.

He also pledged to provide additional storage tanks for the school and to construct toilets for learners with special needs.