Rising GBV and teenage pregnancies plague Nairobi-Nakuru transit towns

According to data from K-Note, a non-governmental organisation, Mai Mahiu, Longonot, Naivasha, and Kikopey towns are suffering as a result of the large number of truck drivers seeking services there.

To address these issues, the organisation collaborated with local communities to reduce cases through the EU-sponsored Tetea programme.

This emerged when community members from the affected towns and centres gathered in Gilgil for a joint declaration to reduce the rising numbers. According to Ochieng Ogutu, a director at K-Note, a baseline survey conducted two years ago identified the towns with the highest number of GBV cases, with Naivasha and Gilgil leading.

He stated that the organisation is collaborating with the community to eliminate the negative vices that have led to many girls dropping out of school due to early pregnancies. The survey identified Mai Mahiu, Longonot, and Gilgil as towns affected by these negative norms, and truck drivers were the common denominator.

Addressing the press, Ogutu stated that the EU-funded programme aims to develop interventions to combat the rising cases, which have been exacerbated by poverty and illiteracy. Martin Mwaura, also from K-Note, stated that truck drivers in transit to various towns have played a significant role in GBV cases.

He went on to say that the identified towns have a higher rate of early marriages, underage pregnancies, and gender-based violence, which is why the community is getting involved. This year, Naivasha has reported over 300 cases of violence against minors, and they are collaborating with other state agencies to address the issue.

Local leader Samuel Wambugu attributed the high number of cases to poverty, a lack of awareness, and cultural beliefs, adding that they have implemented interventions to address these negative norms.

Another leader, Mary Muthoni, admitted that cases of early marriages and underage pregnancies are high in Gilgil, with some parents encouraging early marriages.