Why a Kenyan Mp Mrs Elsie Muhanda has launched a war against the plights of girl child in Kakamega County, Kenya

The emerging threat of Girl child education in Sub Sahara Africa countries remains a major setback to the growth of women in socio-economic and political arenas. This is as a result of adolescent girls indulging in early marriages and unintended pregnancies. The early marriages not only results in the drop out of school but also heavily impacts on Girl child’s health, social and economic lifestyles. In Kenya more specifically in Kakamega County, found in Western part of Kenya, cases of girl child dropping out of schools have immensely affected the communities around with fewer concerns taking place to shape the future of the girl child. Kakamega County Women Representative Mrs. Elsie Muhanda has come out strongly to defend and fight for the plights facing the girl child. Through her ‘Give Her A chance’ programme, Mrs. Elsie has identified 120 former school girls who fell in the trap of early pregnancies while schooling and took an initiative to take them back to their respective institutions to reignite their hopes.

However, the Women leader has continually urged the society not to neglect the girl child who at some point in life messed with her studies. She urges that such girls can be instilled with hope and vigor to achieve their goals in life. Her programme ‘Give her A chance’ aims at paying fees, creating rehabilitation and rescue center in the near future to curb this alarming menace. She, however, challenges young girls not to engage in early habits which include sex, marriages and being lured by the community to indulge in habits that are likely to ruin their lives.

'Give her a Chance' programme intends to run yearly with young girls being absorbed into the system at the same time awareness campaigns against girl child exploitation takes shape across Kakamega County.

"We intend to continue with this programme annually as we roll out campaigns against these early habits. Our major focus is to ensure that the society accepts these young women as we seek for ways to curb future mistakes within our communities. I urge everyone to come on board to give hope to our young girls, by so doing we shall be nurturing future leaders, business women of this great nation." Said Mrs Elsie. 

Dennis Weche is the Director of Communications, Office of Women Representative, Kakamega County, Kenya