A study of levels of non-marital fertility and its implication to the mothers and their children was conducted in Makueni
District which is arid and semi-arid district of Kenya; prone to droughts and feminine that occurs periodically each year.
More than 75% of the population live below poverty line ; majority (>51%) of whom are women who are severely affected
due to marginalization in terms of access to ownership of assets and other sources of income thus prone to non-marital sex,
pregnancies and childbearing . A rural-peri-urban appraisal survey was adopted targeting women aged between 15-49 years
who had non-marital fertility. Data on non-marital fertility characteristics were obtained from a random sample of 120
unmarried women using questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion (FGD’s).
Through FGDs majority (75%) of the women admitted that poverty made them look for financial assistance from men as
rewards for sexual relationship that resulted in unwanted pregnancies. Consequently levels and implication of non-marital
fertility is important in creating awareness to the community of the consequences and policy making process aimed at
reduction of non-marital pregnancies especially to mothers who are not able to provide their children with basic needs for
their well being.