PHOTO: COURTESY
Child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) continue to put the education of young girls in Tana River County, Kenya, at great risk. Local leaders, school administrators, and government officials have raised alarm that these harmful practices are pushing girls toward academic extinction.
Despite government bans and awareness campaigns, poverty and entrenched cultural traditions remain the leading drivers of early marriages and underage pregnancies in the region.
Schools Struggle as Teenage Pregnancies Rise
Teachers in Tana River have expressed deep concern about the increasing number of teenage mothers in classrooms. A local secondary school headteacher explained that many girls in both lower and upper secondary classes are either married off or pregnant, forcing them to drop out.
“With a toddler to take care of, it takes extraordinary resilience for these girls to concentrate on studies,” he said. “Sadly, many end up ridiculed by classmates and society, which makes their situation even worse.”
The headteacher lamented that while communities openly shame young mothers, the men responsible for the pregnancies often escape accountability.
Cultural Defenders Insist on Tradition
Not everyone in the county views child marriage as a problem. Local elder Ibrahim Mamba defended the practice, describing it as a cultural norm that has been practiced for generations.
“Mwacha mila ni mtumwa,” he said, meaning one who abandons culture is a slave. According to Mamba, many girls deliberately get pregnant when school life becomes too difficult. “Instead of idling, it is better for them to marry, even if it means marrying older men,” he argued.
This perspective, however, has drawn sharp criticism from leaders and activists who believe culture should never be used to justify exploitation.
King Divayu Speaks Against FGM and Early Marriage
King Babisani Ramadhan Divayu, leader of the Wailwana community in Tana River, has strongly spoken out against child marriage and FGM. He revealed that, traditionally, girls are introduced to marriage discussions as early as 10 years old, often just before undergoing FGM.
He explained that early marriages are sometimes arranged casually when women fetching water or firewood agree to marry off their children in order to cement friendships.
“This disrupts the education of both the boy and the girl, some as young as grade three or six,” the king said. “Once public ceremonies are held, their concentration in school drops completely.”
The king emphasized that many families, driven by poverty, marry off daughters for as little as KSh 5,000, effectively trading their future for survival.
FGM: An Un-Islamic and Harmful Practice
King Divayu also condemned FGM, describing it as “an un-Islamic and unacceptable curse.” He said it is a false belief that circumcision reduces girls’ sexual desire.
Instead, he noted, the practice exposes women to life-threatening childbirth complications, with some dying during delivery.
Community elder Kantona Dadosa added that, in traditional setups, uncut girls were considered unclean. However, many educated families have started marrying outside the community to avoid marrying girls who have undergone the cut.
Education Crisis Deepens in Tana River
The consequences of these practices are visible in education statistics. A Tana Smart survey shows that out of a population of 315,000, about 86,907 are of school-going age. However, only 51,789 children attend the county’s 200 primary schools.
The county also suffers from a 40 percent dropout rate and a 48 percent transition rate to secondary school. Girls are the most affected, with many dropping out from grade five due to early marriage, pregnancies, or social pressures.
“Poverty and culture are robbing us of an educated generation,” King Divayu said.
Government Crackdown on Offenders
Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei has directed chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders to act swiftly against perpetrators of child marriage and FGM.
“The secrecy around these practices and the refusal of parents to cooperate with authorities must be dealt with from the grassroots,” Koskei said.
He urged stakeholders to strengthen public awareness campaigns and push for more investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to break the cycle.
Civil Society Called to Support Change
Despite the efforts of local leaders and administrators, challenges remain. The Wailwana Council of Elders, led by King Divayu, has been sensitizing communities about the dangers of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and FGM.
However, the king admitted progress is slow due to deep cultural roots and widespread poverty. He appealed to civil society organizations, NGOs, and development partners to step in and support community-led interventions.
“We need all hands on deck,” the king said. “Ending these practices is not just about laws it’s about changing mindsets and giving our children a chance at education.
