By Faith Anene
Kakamega County First Lady Prof. Janet Kassily has called on the national government to review its education funding framework, to better support teen mothers pursuing higher education.
Speaking in Kakamega, Prof. Kassily said teen mothers enrolled in colleges and universities should be formally recognised as a vulnerable group and prioritised in education financing policies.
“Teen mothers who make the bold decision to return to school face unique challenges that require deliberate support,” she said. “If recognised as a vulnerable group, they can benefit from targeted funding and structured interventions.”
She noted that many teen mothers struggle with school fees, childcare responsibilities and social stigma, factors that often force them to drop out before completing their studies.
“Despite these difficulties, many of them are determined to build better futures for themselves and their children,” Prof. Kassily said. “Targeted funding will help reduce dropout rates and promote equity in access to higher education.”
The county First Lady urged development partners, non-governmental organisations and well-wishers to complement government efforts by supporting programs aimed at empowering teen mothers through education.
“Empowering a teen mother through education is an investment in an entire family and the community at large,” she said.
She also stressed the need for sustained efforts to address teenage pregnancies in Kakamega County, noting that prevention and education empowerment must go hand in hand to achieve long-term solutions.
