Thika women groups have urged Kiambu politicians to be on the frontline in the fight aganist early marriages following the increased cases in the region.
Speaking at Utawala Hall in Thika town on Monday where women groups held a joint meeting, the chairlady of Thika Women's Development Group Gladys Waithera said cases of defilement and early marriages were on the rise in Kiambu something that brought together different women's group to address the issue.
She said young girls are dropping out of school to get married adding that a large number of them are being forced into marriage.
Waithera also said that some parents were promoting the vice and allowing their children to get married. She called on elected leaders to step in and help in eradicating this vice.
"This was will be well only be won if it starts with the leaders.Kiambu women representative, Anne Nyokabi should be in the lead in this campaign to fight the menace," she said.
Waithera said that the different women groups had formed a campaign dubbed "No to early marriage" adding that elected leaders are needed to steer the campaign to success.
"These cases have risen despite our numerous efforts to fight it. We have now come together as women and we also call on other women to join forces to fight the menace. However, we need our leaders starting from our Governor, William Kabogo, and our MCAs," she added.
She said that the problem was not only in Thika but also in other parts of Kiambu.She urged women in other parts of the region to wake up and fight for the girls who are also the future of the country.