Uhuru Announces Free Care For Teenage Pregnancies

President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing National Government Administration Officers at KICC on July 2, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing National Government Administration Officers at KICC on July 2, 2020.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, July 9 announced free pre and post-natal care for all teenage pregnancies in the country.

According to Daily Nation, the President directed all chiefs across the country to register all pregnant schoolgirls so as to ensure they get free maternal care.

Ministry of Education Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Zachary Kinuthia revealed that the order is contained in a presidential directive issued recently.

President Uhuru Kenyatta greets Zachary Kinuthia during his appointment as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Education on January 14, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta greets Zack Kinuthia during his appointment as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) on January 14, 2020.

Kinuthia added that Uhuru is concerned that many girls may end up failing to get maternal care due to the stigma suffered, a situation that may exacerbate the crisis leading to birth-related complications.

Also contained in the directive is that government administrators should reveal the identities of those responsible for the pregnancies.

The CAS fired a stern warning at the perpetrators but also called for accountability from families affected when dealing with the crisis.

"We are putting our act together as a government and we will seal all these loopholes...We will hit back hard and furiously. But at the same time, the society, starting at the nuclear family, must also play its role in battling this menace," he stated.

This will come as a huge boost for families grappling with the issue of teenage pregnancies that have spiked alarmingly since the closure of schools due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pregnant teens will also benefit from the program after it was reported that a number of expectant mothers had shunned hospital visits due to the deadly Coronavirus. 

This comes after Uhuru on Monday, July 6 ordered the National Crime Research Centre to move swiftly and investigate increasing cases of gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies in the country.

While addressing the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) at KICC on Thursday, July 2 Uhuru noted that chiefs would be answerable to how school-going children were being defiled under their watch.

Kandara Member of Parliament Alice Wahome on Thursday, July 9 disagreed with the President on the matter.

"I heard the President say the chiefs would be responsible for teenage pregnancies…It’s not the chiefs, it is only the men that are culprits," she stated.

A photo of Kandara MP Alice Wahome in her office.
Kandara MP Alice Wahome in her office.
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