Jumwa wants police to arrest pregnant school girls in Kilifi

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa has called on police to arrest pregnant girls and detain them to avoid gender discrimination.

According to her, both teenage boys and girls deserve equal punishment for engaging in underage sex which is illegal in Kenya.

‘‘Whoever is taken to court in cases of teenage pregnancy is a boy, the law cuts both sides; all girls and boys should be arrested if we want to solve the problem,’’ she said.

Jumwa was speaking during the Annual Malindi Education day celebrations at Barani Secondary School on Saturday.

She added that the only case where a boy should be prosecuted alone is when he is arrested for defilement.

However, when the act is consensual, she said both parties should be held responsible.

‘‘I would urge the area OCPD to always ask for the girl who was impregnated if a boy is arrested over teenage pregnancy,’’ she said.

The Malindi legislator also proposed an amendment of the Nationals Government Constituency Development Funds Act.

She wants it to facilitate payment of full scholarship for bright needy students from poor families.

Jumwa expressed optimism that the proposed amendment will be debated in parliament adding that if the law is passed, poor children will be able to go to national schools with fully paid scholarships from CDF.