Kilifi County is recording a reduction in teenage pregnancies following a sustained campaign against cultural and social gatherings that authorities say have become breeding grounds for child exploitation.
Government officials, educators and child protection advocates attribute the decline to a coordinated effort that has targeted disco matangas and overnight vigils, events previously associated with underage drinking, sexual abuse and school dropouts among girls.
Speaking during a child protection forum in Kilifi North, Bahari Assistant County Commissioner Kezia Njoroge said local authorities had shifted their focus from responding to incidents after they occur to preventing them through enforcement and public awareness.
According to Njoroge, collaboration between government agencies, civil society organisations and community leaders has helped reduce cases of teenage pregnancy in parts of the county.
"We want every child to enjoy their right to education and protection. Through joint efforts with various stakeholders, we are beginning to see positive results," she said.
Children's officers in the area said the disappearance of disco matangas and night vigils has played a significant role in reducing children's exposure to risky environments.
Kilifi North Sub-County Children's Officer Apopo Warren noted that investigations had previously linked many teenage pregnancy cases to such gatherings, where minors were exposed to alcohol and vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
He said local administrators, security agencies and community leaders had intensified efforts to stop the events, leading to notable improvements in child protection.
Education stakeholders have also reported a decline in pregnancy-related school dropouts.
Headteacher of Vuma Secondary School, Mwanaisha Bakari, said schools have strengthened counselling programmes while awareness campaigns have encouraged parents to take a more active role in protecting their children.
She observed that poverty, alcohol abuse and relationships involving schoolgirls and motorcycle taxi operators had contributed to previous cases of teenage pregnancy.
"Teachers have continued to sensitise girls on their rights and the importance of staying in school. Parents must also remain closely involved in their children's lives," she said.
Community organisations working in the county say broader efforts to address child protection concerns are beginning to bear fruit. Issues such as absenteeism, early marriages and gender-based violence have reportedly reduced in several communities following years of awareness campaigns.
Programmes Coordinator at Zamara Foundation, Betty Mtuweta, said recent engagements brought together local administrators, teachers, parents and village elders to identify weaknesses in child protection systems and strengthen community responses.
The discussions focused on improving coordination among stakeholders and ensuring that children's rights are upheld at the household and community levels.
Residents who attended the forums said awareness of reporting mechanisms for abuse and exploitation has increased, encouraging more people to seek legal redress when children's rights are violated.
Warren said the county government is working to integrate child protection initiatives into long-term policies to ensure gains made through partnerships and donor-supported programmes are sustained.
Despite the progress, officials cautioned that challenges such as gender-based violence and parental neglect remain a concern in some areas, calling on communities to remain vigilant in safeguarding children from abuse and exploitation.
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