Voi Schoollgirl Rescued From Early Marriage

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Raphael Mwadime

26 May 2011

THE children’s department in Voi has launched investigations into an incident where a school girl was married off to boda boda taxi at Kloleni in the outskirts of the town.

Taita Taveta human rights boss Cecilia Mshabua said that when they went to rescue the 13-year-old girl, the man was not at home and has been missing since. Mshabua said that the matter had been reported to the Voi police station, but no arrest has been made.

She said that the orphaned girl lives with her grandmother at Kaloleni area in Voi and had so far left school because of the marriage which lasted for a month.

“The little girl has so far abandoned school and wants to be married by the man. We call on the police to ensure that the man is arrested as soon as possible because he has really affected the girls proceeding in school,” said Mshabua.

She said that she had taken the girl to hospital and the medical examination results revealed that she was not pregnant and had not been infected with any sexual transmitted disease.

Taita children’s officer, Leonard Nyangweso, said the suspect fled after the incident was reported to his office. He said that his office was liaising with the police to ensure that the culprit is arrested.

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