GANZE sub county children's officer Daniel Mbogo has raised concerns over the escalating cases of early marriages and defilement in the area.

The cases, he said is the main reason why education levels are deteriorating in the sub county. Speaking to the press in Kilifi yesterday, Mbogo blamed the problem on parents who fail to give information when their young girls are defiled or married at a tender age.

"The cases have gone really high and we have tried but the support from parents has been very low. Most parents especially mothers have been hiding information on the whereabout of their young girls," he said.

Mbogo said at least six cases are reported in his office every month. He also pointed that the children's department has been getting a challenge in following up the cases because some key witnesses fail to give evidence whenever the cases are brought before court.

Sauti ya wanawake chair lady Judith Uchi concurred with the children's officer and blamed women on the woes befalling the girl child in Ganze.

Uchi said many women are not ready to cooperate with the children's department after they are compromised by the offenders. He urged the community and other stakeholders to come out clearly to condemn the cases and give the girl child a chance to pursue education.

The children's department also raised concerns on how the cases are handled at the gender based desk in police stations. Mbogo said some offenders have been set free irregularly and urged the police to make sure they cases related to gender are thoroughly investigated.

"We will make sure that we accompany the minors to the hospital and to the police so that we can reduce the cases," said Mbogo. Mbogo said many young girls from the area have been lured into marriage at the expense of their education.