A 14-year-old girl who was abducted by Samburu Morans from Nairimirimur Primary School in Samburu East Subcounty has been rescued.
In a viral video that has been doing rounds on different Samburu social media platforms, the Samburu Morans are seen dragging the girl out of class while caning her before escaping with her using a motorcycle.
Confirming the incident, Daniel Lolojore, Nairimirimur Primary School head teacher told KNA that the minor is not a registered pupil at the school, adding that she had sought refuge in the school after losing her father’s camel while herding.
“When she came and explained her case to us, we allowed her to stay in school while we waited for her parents, but instead the Morans showed up and violently took her away,” the headteacher said.
However, upon reaching her father’s compound, the girl was rescued by Nairimirimur chief Daniel Lentoijoni and taken to the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) in Wamba town.
Chief Lentoijoni noted that many parents in the area do not enroll their children in school but instead use them as herders.
He further said that there is need for targeted sensitisation campaigns among the community on the importance of education as well as moran engagement against violence.
Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda condemned the incident, saying that schools in Samburu county should be a safe haven for children and urged the police to arrest the perpetrators.
According to Lesuuda, the girl was violently pulled out of class by morans for beading, a harmful cultural practice that strips girls of their right to safety and education.
The National Gender and Equality Commission describes girl-child beading as a cultural practice among the
Samburu community, which sanctions a non-marital sexual relationship between Samburu men in
the ‘warrior’ age group and young Samburu girls (usually between the ages of 9-15 years) who are not
yet eligible for marriage.
Samburu County Commissioner John Cheruiyot said efforts are underway to arrest and prosecute the Morans.
He also cautioned the county residents against taking matters into their own hands.