Beautiful to look at? Not for this girl

• Beads are fascinating for the visitor, but for the girls of Samburu they signify bondage

“My dream is to start a rescue centre where girls who stand up against these cultural rites can find refuge away from their parents and community,” she said.

“Isiolo County Council has given out a piece of land for that purpose and, with donor support, we are sure we shall have a rescue home soon,” said the officer.

Isiolo district children officer Mr Maube Nabakwe says beading is against the Children’s Act of 2001.

However, he is quick to point that his office is ill equipped in terms of personnel and facilities to fight the vice so rampant in the remote areas of the expansive Isiolo district.

“We can have the parents arrested and jailed. But if we do not have a home where we can take the rescued girls, then it might turn out to be a futile activity.

However, Mr Nabakwe says there is hope since local leaders have come together and there are plans to put up a centre for victims of beading in the district.

Meanwhile, young Letereuwa remains worried about her growing bulge.

“After impregnating me, the moran went away,” she said. “Although my parents have pledged to support me bring up the child once it is born, I don’t believe this will happen.”