In Kenya, a 12-year-old girl has been rescued in Maji Moto, Narok county after she was married off twice in the last two weeks to men three and four times older than her.
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 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.
