The Assistant County Commissioner, Kajiado Central Division, Kajiado County, has warned residents against engaging their children in child labour. Patrick Mburure pointed out that child labour is forbidden not only by the constitution but also internationally. Mburure warned that those who engage their children in child labour will be prosecuted and face the full force of the law. The ACC,who was speaking on Friday during celebrations of the Day of the African Child at Kisanjani area, directed chiefs to be at the forefront in identifying those engaging their children in child labour. He further directed them to identify school dropouts who have gone to the Kaputei area to work as herdsmen as well as those who went to work in Elang’ata as casual labourers in farms. He warned the parents whose children drop out of school and never report the matter to the chiefs or school head that they will be arrested for violating the rights of an African child. Mburure also urged the parents not to hide their physically challenged children so that they can receive assistance from government and well-wishers and also be part of the community. On relief food, the ACC assured that the food received had been shared from county to sub-location, adding that schools have not been left behind in the provision of relief food. He also noted that human-wildlife conflicts have increased in Kajiado south due to drought, causing the animals to invade homes for water and prey to survive. Loitoktok Sub County Children Officer Dennis Njoroge expressed concern that the African child is facing myriad challenges, including early marriages, female genital mutilation, and a lack of education. He also lamented that the parents were not taking their children to school, citing that statistically, the constituency is leading in school dropouts and early marriages. Njoroge also urged the parents to be ambassadors in the fight against FGM and promote the government’s national goal of ending FGM by 2030. Patrick Nang’unin, who is an educationist from Kimana, confirmed that the government has provided digital devices like laptops and desktop computers that can help the learners conduct research in a digital environment. He also appreciated the non-government organizations in Kajiado South for their support and funds for child development.
Source: Kenya News Agency
