A multi-agency team has been formed in Laikipia County to track down students from nomadic communities to ensure they return to school, even as the county recorded ‘normal’ teenage pregnancy cases.
The Operation Back to school team, led by Industrialization PS Lawrence Karanja, noted that about 1.5 percent of learners were yet to report to school, with a number having moved to neighboring Baringo and Samburu Counties.
Karanja said that there were few and isolated cases reported of those who have dropped out after migrating to other places noting they were liaising with local administration in the areas to ensure they report to the schools near their new aboard.
He noted that a number of the male students were from the Samburu community who were recently initiated and are going through the healing process before they return.
Karanja added that dropouts who cannot be traced, most who had turned into adulthood and have turned to businesses, motorcycle business urging them to desist from engaging in the businesses before they complete school.
Speaking while he toured school in Laikipia West Sub County to assess the status of resumption among school, Karanja refuted claims that a high number of teenagers became pregnant saying only between one and 1.5 percent of the girls were pregnant, which was normal.
DCC Hezron Nyamberi noted that the small percentage had also been out as they had undergone initiation rites and they were yet to get better.
He at the same time noted they had a list of the defilers of the children, who among them are their fellow students, and the police are working closely with the families to ensure they are brought to book warning that any parents who have condoned t will also be prosecuted.