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{
"id": 490914,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/490914/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Ongoro",
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"speaker": {
"id": 125,
"legal_name": "Elizabeth Ongoro Masha",
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"content": "This was my first experience with the young mothers of Kilifi County. The story again was the same; dropping out of school, having no other opportunity or engagement, being married off at an early age, ending up with six children at age 19 with no employment, with nothing and, so, the vicious cycle continues. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as if that was not enough, in just about the same month, there was a funeral I attended in my other home county of Siaya. After that, I felt that we should initiate a programme for widows to support themselves. Again, the same scenario unfolded. I ended up with teenage widows. They were already married off, the husband has already died. She is 16, 17, or 19 with two, three or four children. So with all these examples from Siaya, Nairobi and Kilifi counties, to me, that is representative of what is happening in all other counties in this nation. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this social ill of having in our midst babies with babies, is so prevalent, complex and it has far-reaching socio-economic implications that require a comprehensive and integrated approach; a realistic approach in terms of programmes and policies if, as a nation, we are to effectively deal with it. If we are to break this vicious cycle of poverty; if we are to put in place policies that are realistic and can be taken advantage of, we must give these girls – and I even feel sorry calling them girls – we must give these babies or these children an opportunity to go back to school while we also have policies and programmes that take care of the other younger babies that they have. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, may I take this opportunity to remind all of us of our very good Chapter 4 of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of Kenya, Article 53. I want to take this opportunity to read it. It states:- “(1) Every child has the right – (a) to a name and nationality from birth; (b) to free and compulsory basic education; (c) to basic nutrition, shelter and health care; (d) to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment, and hazardous or exploitative labour;” Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, This Motion talks directly to our conscience. We have to take care of our children. As a nation, we do not have to wait until somebody takes us to court because every child has rights. All these mothers within this age group still qualify to be referred to as children and as babies. It is our responsibility to create a scenario that is conducive for their going back to school. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, looking at the global situation, the UN report states that three out of 10 teenage girls will have fallen pregnant by the age of 18. Can you imagine that? We are told in that same report that worldwide, 7.3 percent births are by girls aged The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}