Kajiado County Children’s Office in expansive Kenya’s Rift Valley region has raised the red flag over rising incidence of child neglect, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, drug abuse and sexual exploitation affecting children in the county.

The situation has reached a critical level, with officials urging immediate and coordinated action to safeguard the rights and welfare of children.

According to County Children’s Coordinator Anne Kang’ethe, the department recorded over 5,000 cases of abuse and rights violations during the 2024/2025 reporting period, cutting across various forms of child maltreatment.

Neglect accounted for the highest number at 3,753 cases, where children have parents, but are denied basic needs. Abandonment followed with 162 cases of minors left without any guardian or caregiver. Other cases included 552 of custody disputes, 25 of child marriages, 19 of teenage pregnancy, 13 of sexual assault, five of child labour and four of female genital mutilation.

Kang’ethe noted that, while some figures may appear low, underreporting remains a major challenge due to stigma, lack of information and fear.

“Most of these issues are not reported because of stigma, lack of awareness and sometimes fear. We need more sensitisation in the community so that children can be protected,” she said.

The coordinator pointed out that cases of teenage pregnancy were the most alarming, terming it one of the most disturbing trends in the county. She disclosed that during a visit to three schools last week, her team found alarming figures where one school recorded 36 pregnancies, another 18 and the third 20.

“The situation has become normalised that baby showers are now being celebrated in dormitories. In one class, only three girls were not pregnant,” she explained.

The consequences have been severe, with two girls recently losing their lives while attempting unsafe abortions, while others continue to suffer in silence. Kang’ethe warned that the lack of family planning education is exposing adolescents not only to unwanted pregnancies, but also to HIV and other sexually  transmitted infections.

The office has also raised concern about a growing trend in urban centres where sex workers are recruiting minors into the trade. This, coupled with increasing cases of drug and substance abuse, is putting children at risk of dropping out of school and joining criminal gangs.

“Drug abuse among children is rarely reported, yet it is happening right in the town areas. Some children end up in gangs, which makes their situation even worse,” Kang’ethe said.

She stressed the need for collective responsibility in addressing the crisis, calling on parents, teachers, religious leaders and government agencies to intensify awareness campaigns on children’s rights, reproductive health education and the dangers of child exploitation.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Damaris Nyongesa and Ivy Asamba