Mijikenda Kaya Elders Launch “Magarini Moro Declaration” to Combat Rising Teenage Pregnancies in Kilifi

By Charo Banda

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Kilifi County mijikenda kaya elders have intensified their campaign against teenage pregnancies saying traditional leadership must step in as statistics show the fight is slowing down in rural areas.

Under their umbrella body, the Malindi District Cultural Association – MADCA, the elders say schools, parents, and communities must refocus on education and keeping girls away from early sexual activity.

Malindi district cultural association secretary Joseph Karisa Mwarandu says that despite government and NGO interventions, teenage pregnancies remain a major challenge in Kilifi’s villages.

Many school-going girls continue to drop out after getting pregnant.

Speaking in Magarini, Mwarandu stated that the new grassroots campaign dubbed “Magarini Moro Declaration” initiative would see Kaya elders take their message directly to villages, churches, mosques, schools, and all community gatherings.

“Our goal is to spread awareness at the village level. We want parents and students to prioritize education and avoid sex at an early age,” he said.

The elders are also strongly condemning cases where family members themselves are directly involved in teenage pregnancies.

They described such acts as a violation of Mijikenda culture and called for community shaming and legal action against perpetrators.

The secretary further said the government should allow elders to use traditional counselling and cultural practices to mentor youth and families.

He argued that modern interventions alone have not been enough to reverse the trend in hard-to-reach areas.

Stanley Kiraga, founder of Malindi District cultural Association (MADCA), echoed the call for collaboration.

He said the government and development partners must involve communities directly if they want to win the fight against early pregnancies.

“The solution is not only in Nairobi or in offices. It starts at home, in the village, with the elders, parents, and religious leaders working together,” he stated.

Magarini Sub-county Gender and Youth Officer Shadrack Fukwe confirmed that teenage pregnancy rates have dropped, but remain high.

According to him cases fell from 21per cent to 16 per cent, but more aggressive awareness is needed to eliminate the problem completely.

“We have made progress, from 21 percent down to 16 percent. That shows campaigns are working. But we need to do more so that no girl is left behind,” he said.

The “Magarini Moro Declaration” will now roll out across Kilifi county, with elders expected to hold regular barazas, school forums, and cultural forums to mentor adolescents and parents.

For many in Magarini, the move signals a return to cultural guardianship — using Mijikenda values to protect the next generation of girls.