Kajiado schoolgirl rescued from early marriage after Citizen TV exposé

A 14-year-old girl who was on the verge of being married off in Kajiado County was rescued, amidst rising concerns of early child marriages during the school holiday season.

The teenage girl, whose plight was aired by Citizen TV, had sought refuge in her grandfather’s house at Ole Kimunke village in Kajiado.

The children's department in Kajiado County has vowed to continue community sensitisation to root out retrogressive culture that still advocates for child marriage.

The dusty road that winds up at Ole Kimunke village in Kajiado carried hope—hope for a brighter future for a 14-year-old girl who was featured on Citizen TV, fearful of being married off by her father.

Well-wishers, as well as officers from the Kajiado County Children's Department, led a rescue mission where the teenage girl was picked up and moved to a safe house.

"Tumekuja hapa kupitia ujumbe tuliopata kupitia runinga ya Citizen TV na tuko hapa kuhakikisha huyu msichana amepata nafasi kikamilifu ya kuhakikisha kuwa amesoma ili aishi maisha ya maana baadaye," said  Light Up Hope Executive Director Moses Murage.

Kekonyoke West Chief Samuel Ole Makana added, "Kuna mila nyingi inasumbua watu. Unapata sana sana kama ni masomo ni ya kusukumiwa tu, lakini tunashukuru sababu at least mmeleta mwangaza."

In a report commissioned by women's lobby group FAWE in 2024, 18% of girls aged between 15 and 18 had already been married, with the ASAL counties reporting the highest prevalence.

Stakeholders are now calling for concerted efforts, especially in setting up more schools that serve as rescue centres for teenage girls—and even boys—who risk being married before the legal age.

"Zile changamoto wanapitia hapa mimi siwezi kuzitatua mimi binafsi, lakini tukipata wafadhili kama Light Up Hope wakiingia tutasaidiana ili isikue ati ni huyu mmoja tunasaidia na wengine sita wanabaki," Kajiado West Children Officer Cosmas Karea noted.

One of the rescued girls on her part said, "Nimeshukuru sana vile sasa nitaenda shule na nitajikaza nisome nikuwe daktari."

The teenage girl will receive education, mentorship, and career guidance.

The Grade 6 girl was pleading to be rescued from the greed of her dad, who they say had partly received a bride price in exchange for her hand in marriage.

According to an earlier report, she had already suffered a stillbirth and was facing an early marriage in a classic example of what young girls are forced to bear in parts of the country.