Kilifi County continues to grapple with a high burden of gender-based violence (GBV) and teenage pregnancies, challenges deeply rooted in poverty, harmful cultural practices, and limited access to essential health and social support systems. Recent statistics paint a worrying picture.

By October 2024, more than 7,000 teenage girls in Kilifi had given birth.

Although the number has dropped to about 4,500 this year, the figure remains alarmingly high prompting local leaders and child welfare advocates to call for urgent, coordinated efforts to protect young girls and address the root causes of the crisis.

Speaking during the launch of the STRIDES for SRHR through Resilient Health Systems (STRIDES) program at Ganze Health Centre, one of the sub-counties hardest hit by teenage pregnancies, Kilifi County Deputy Governor Florence Chibule described the situation as deeply unfortunate.

“Kilifi, like many counties across our nation, continues to face unique challenges in ensuring that every young person and every woman enjoy their right to quality healthcare,” she said.

Chibule expressed concern over the rising cases of defilement and incest, warning perpetrators who prey on vulnerable girls, particularly from poverty-stricken families.

She urged men to take responsibility in safeguarding the dignity and safety of women and girls.

“One gender has taken advantage of poor families for free sex. This must stop. As a county leadership, we will no longer entertain this vice,” she cautioned.

The deputy governor noted that while Kilifi has made progress in reducing teenage pregnancies, it still ranks third nationally in prevalence.

Ganze Sub- County continues to record the highest numbers within the county. She called on parents to remain vigilant during the long holiday period, warning that if the trend is not contained, the future of many young girls will remain at risk.

“Teenage pregnancy continues to destroy the dreams of our girls who are forced to drop out of school. We must act collectively,” she emphasized.

The situation is further complicated by rising HIV prevalence among adolescents, attributed to early sexual debut, low condom use, and limited access to youth-friendly reproductive health services.

Amid these challenges, the launch of the STRIDES for SRHR through Resilient Health Systems initiative offers renewed hope.

According to Susan Otieno, CEO of the Aga Khan Foundation Kenya, the STRIDES project is a seven-year partnership (2025–2032) valued at CAD 25 million (approximately KSh 2.3 billion), funded by the Government of Canada.

The initiative will be implemented through a consortium of partners—Aga Khan University (AKU), Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya (ICRHK), and Moving the Goalposts (MTG)—in collaboration with local communities and the County Government of Kilifi.

The program will target five sub-counties—Kilifi North, Kaloleni, Rabai, Malindi, and Ganze with the goal of reducing teenage pregnancies, combating GBV, and strengthening linkages between communities and health facilities.

“Our goal is to ensure women and girls can equitably access quality, inclusive, and people-centered healthcare,” said Otieno.

The initiative also aims to empower women and adolescent girls to make informed decisions about their health, while addressing barriers such as long distances to health facilities, financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and low awareness.

Kilifi County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation, Peter Mwarogo, lauded the partnership, expressing gratitude to the Canadian government and implementing partners for their support. “This program is timely for Ganze and other high-burden regions.

It will help strengthen community health structures and reduce teenage pregnancies through increased access to essential health services,” Mwarogo said.

Dr. Ruth Dama Masha the Kilifi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Gender, Culture, and Sports Development said as Kilifi embarks on this renewed fight against GBV and teenage pregnancies, local leaders hope that the STRIDES initiative will not only improve healthcare outcomes but also restore the dreams and dignity of thousands of girls whose futures have been cut short by preventable injustices.