Njoro Member of Parliament Charity Kathambi has called for concerted effort in addressing rising cases of pregnancies among school-going girls.

The Legislator was reacting to Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha’s sentiments on the high number of female candidates who sat their 2020 national examination while pregnant.

This even as Nakuru county was cited among the top 3 counties that had high such cases of pregnant candidates.

But speaking on Saturday during the launch of Njoro NG-CDF Bursary worth 45 million shillings to be issued to secondary schools and tertiary institutions, MP Kathambi castigated parents and society at large.

While noting that majority of the cases are perpetrated by adults who should be protecting the interests of the school-going girls.

According to her, there should be a collective responsibility in society in ensuring school-going girls are protected to enable them to complete their studies and become productive citizens.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure our children are in school. The trend of pregnancies among school-going girls is a worrying trend and we should join hands to address the same. To our men please let us keep off our girls. They need to study and complete the same” she said.

The Lawmaker called on security agencies to ensure the law is enforced so that those found guilty are dealt with.

The cases of pupils dropping out of school in Mau Narok Ward in Njoro sub-County have reduced significantly, thanks to an allay of measures by the County Government of Nakuru.

A few years ago, children of school-going age would be seen in expansive horticultural farms in the area, alongside their parents or alone, undertaking casual jobs such as harvesting peas.

However, according to area Member of County Assembly Mr Jack Githua, a good learning environment such as play equipment and equipped classrooms has seen children streaming back to school.

“So far, we have commissioned four more standalone Early Childhood and Development Education classrooms in areas that previously reported low enrollment and are now full,” he stated.

While receiving ECDE furniture donated by the County Government of Nakuru, the MCA said his office has been working with government agencies and other stakeholders in addressing the challenge.

In November 2017, just months after assuming office, Governor Lee Kinyanjui convened a successful education stakeholders forum at Mau Narok Primary School.

During the meeting, leaders resolved to end child labour, equip classrooms, employ ECDE teachers, motivate teachers and be issuing adequate and timely bursaries.

“My office will set more funds in the next financial year towards the construction of more ECDE classrooms and Technical Vocational Education and Training Institutions in the area,” the MCA promised.

The County Government of Nakuru has warned residents of Njoro sub-County against improper waste disposal mechanisms that are creating unsanitary conditions in the area.

Chief Officer for Environment, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Kiogora Muriithi says landlords, tenants and residents have been dumping waste in open and in receptacles.

“You are therefore required to abate the said nuisance, demolish all receptacles within 7 days upon receipt of this notice,” stated the Chief Offer in a public notice.

He asked the residents to ensure that they hand over waste to the licenced waste service provider in their area for transportation and safe disposal at County designated areas.

The Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act CAP 387 Section 87 (i) prohibits persons from discharging or disposing of any wastes, whether generated within or outside Kenya, in such manner as to cause pollution to the environment or ill health to any person.

Any person who contravenes any provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years or to a fine of not more than one million shillings or both.