Teenage Pregnancies and Gender-Based Violence Soar in Kericho County

Strategic Insights -

Teenage pregnancies have reached their highest numbers in the past seven months in six Kericho sub-counties, particularly Bureti and Belgut, according to a report by the Gender and Affirmative County Director. The report highlights a worrying trend of teenage pregnancies, with 932 girls in Belgut and 541 in Bureti getting pregnant between January 2025 and July 2021. Additionally, a total of 764 cases of Sexual and Gender-based Violence were reported in the County during the same period.

Key Takeaways:

  • The highest number of teenage pregnancies in the past seven months were reported in Bureti Sub County (541) and Belgut Sub County (932) between January 2025 and July 2021.
  • A total of 3,331 teenage girls were pregnant across six sub-counties of Kericho during the same period.
  • 373 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Bureti Sub County, making it the highest among the six sub-counties.
  • No safe space exists in Kericho County to protect victims of Gender-based Violence, emphasizing the need for a dedicated center.
  • Multiple strategies are required to address the triple threat issues of teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and HIV/AIDS, particularly targeting the youth.
  • Parents in Kericho County have been challenged to take their parental roles seriously and actively shape their children's virtues and norms of responsible behavior.

Statistics:

  • 932 teenage girls in Belgut Sub County were impregnated between January 2025 and July 2021.
  • 541 teenage girls in Bureti Sub County were impregnated between January 2025 and July 2021.
  • 3,331 teenage girls were pregnant across six sub-counties of Kericho between January 2025 and July 2021.
  • 764 cases of Sexual and Gender-based Violence were reported in Kericho County during the same period.

Sources:

  • "Teenage pregnancies in Kericho soar as schools shut down" - Kenya News Agency, 23 September 2025
  • Report by the Gender and Affirmative County Director, presented to the National Government Development-County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee Meeting