Theological Principles and Practice in Teenage Pregnancy Mitigation: The Role of the Mothers’ Union in the Anglican Church of Kenya’s Maseno South Diocese

Janet Atieno Oyugi Rowa, Edmond Ogera, & Esther Mombo
School of Theology
St. Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya
Email: jahatieno1@gmail.com

Abstract: Teenage pregnancy remains a significant social, developmental, and pastoral challenge affecting adolescents in Kenya. The problem is particularly pronounced in Kisumu County and the wider Nyanza region, where high rates of teenage pregnancy continue to undermine educational attainment, family stability, and socioeconomic development. Within this context, the Mothers’ Union (M.U.) of the Anglican Church of Kenya (A.C.K.), Diocese of Maseno South, has played an important role in addressing teenage pregnancy through faith-based and community-centered interventions. This study examined the theological principles guiding the Mothers’ Union’s approach to mitigating teenage pregnancy within the  Diocese of Maseno South. The study adopted a descriptive case study design and employed a qualitative research approach. Purposive sampling was used to select participants comprising Mothers’ Union diocesan and parish leaders, clergy, adolescent girls aged 13–15 years, and Mothers’ Union members drawn from Diemo and Greater Kisumu parishes. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and were analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns, meanings, and perspectives relevant to the study objectives. The findings revealed that the Mothers’ Union relies predominantly on biblical teachings emphasizing sexual purity and abstinence to shape adolescent sexual behaviour. The study contributes to scholarship on church-based responses to teenage pregnancy by integrating theological and gender perspectives and offers insights for developing more inclusive, contextually relevant, and gender-sensitive interventions within faith communities.