Morogoro. A Form Four Maasai student who was allegedly abducted for forced marriage has been rescued and reunited with her parents in Sokoine Village, Dakawa Ward, Mvomero District.
A statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026, by Morogoro Regional Police Commander Andrew Kantimbo, the girl, whose name has been withheld, is from the Maasai community and attends Sokoine Memorial Secondary School in Dakawa.
She was allegedly abducted by three young men from the same community on the afternoon of October 26.
Explaining how the girl was found, her father, Mr Kumbuni Twaro, said she was reunited with her family on Thursday evening, while police and other authorities were continuing with procedures, including medical examinations.
“The girl explained to us that after being abducted she was taken to a location she does not know and whilst there was locked inside, until yesterday when she was loaded onto a bus. However, they kept the ticket which shows she boarded in Kibaigwa area, Dodoma region,’ said Mr Twaro.
Regarding her health, police and other government organs are following up.
He said the abduction allegedly followed a failed attempt by the young man’s family to negotiate a marriage arrangement with him.
Mr Twaro alleged that on the previous Sunday, the young man and his relatives visited his home intending to propose marriage to his daughter, noting however that both he and the girl rejected the proposal.
“I refused because my daughter is studying and the government does not allow marrying off girls whilst studying, but also the girl herself currently does not want to get married,’ he said.
‘The girl wants to proceed to form five studies if she passes, and even if she does not pass I will send her to private school or vocational training,” added Mr Twaro.
“I myself studied up to form four, so I understand the importance of education, and I have been striving to educate my daughter at any cost; even her academic progress is good, and she is a calm girl without bad behaviour,’ he insisted.
Explaining Maasai marriage customs and traditions, Mr Twaro said that in the past, before the government placed greater emphasis on education, girls could be betrothed even during infancy, with parents accepting bride price proposals.
However, he said the practice had gradually changed, with education increasingly taking priority.
“Currently this custom is outdated; girls are taken to school and cannot be married off unless a girl fails and is unable to pursue other studies, whilst also reaching marriageable age; that is when a parent can accept a bride price proposal, hold traditional dances and marry her off,” he said.
On measures taken to protect the girl after her return, Dakawa Ward Councillor Joshua Lugaso, who is also from the Maasai community, said the government, through the ward executive officer and social welfare officers, had put arrangements in place to ensure her safety.
Regarding her medical examination, Mr Lugaso said she was taken to Mvomero District Hospital immediately after returning home, where she underwent various tests. He said the results had been kept confidential.
Mvomero District Medical Officer Dr Philipina Philipo said teenage pregnancies remained a challenge in the district, with statistics reflecting the extent of the problem.
She said complications associated with early pregnancies included obstructed labour, difficulties in delivering naturally because of underdeveloped reproductive organs and excessive bleeding during childbirth.
“Other consequences are psychological, especially when a girl encounters pregnancy complications and hormonal shifts, failing to endure pregnancy and childbirth challenges, or failing to nurture her child due to mental immaturity,” said Dr Philipo.
Tanzania Assemblies of God (TAG) pastor Petro Karaita, who is also from the Maasai community, said such child marriages were often conducted through traditional customs rather than religious procedures.
He said some parents in the community continued to marry off girls while they were still at school or at a young age.
In some cases, he added, families accepted cattle as bride price without considering the value and rights of the girls involved.
Mr Karaita said he had been educating members of his community about the dangers of early marriage and the consequences of depriving girls of their education.
Following the incident, police arrested three young men from the Maasai community, as well as the young man’s biological mother accused of abducting the girl. Another suspect is still being sought.