Girl married off twice in 14 days to men three and four times her age rescued

A 12-year-old girl has been rescued at Maji Moto, Narok county after she was married off twice in the last two weeks.

The minor was rescued by the Narok
peace ambassadors who engaged Maji Moto chief in saving her from early
marriage.

According to the chief, Moine
Mayone, the girl’s father married her off to a 51-year-old man but she fled
after spending two nights at the predator’s home.

Mayone said the girl escaped the
marriage but went ahead to live with another man aged 35.

The chief warned locals marrying
off their underage girls that the national government will not relent in the
fight against early marriages.

He said police are in pursuit of the
three men, including the girl’s father.

The three have since fled the
village in to avoid arrest.

Mayone said the girl’s father was
last seen at Maji Moto trading centre where he was searching for her after she
escaped the first marriage.

The Standard Six girl, who attends Maji Moto Primary School, said she would like to continue with her studies and wants to become a doctor someday.

The chief said that 26 teenage
pregnancies have been reported in Maji Moto since January, an issue closely
linked to early and force marriages.

Narok County peace ambassador
Joshua Kaputa said instances of early and forced marriages have become
rampant.

He said there are three other girls
the organisation is trying to rescue from early marriages.

Kaputa called on authorities to move
with speed to arrest the culprits who are ruining the future of young girls.