Migori: The high number of children engaged in the scrap metal business in Migori, Rongo, Isebania, and Awendo towns has raised concerns among local leaders.

According to Kenya News Agency, these leaders have expressed worries that this trend could disrupt the children's return to school following a two-month holiday after schools were closed in late October last year. Arwa Rumo, Chairman of the Migori County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted that the children are not only involved in collecting scrap metals but are also engaging in petty crimes, such as stealing utensils from homes and vandalizing public structures.

Rumo pointed out that some parents seem to have neglected their responsibility to guide their children. As a result, teenagers as young as 10 are exploiting the absence from school to earn some money, often being taken advantage of by adults who purchase the metals from them. He emphasized that the vandalism of property by these children poses a significant risk to the region's economy, as they destroy essential structures like road signage and guardrails on bridges.

He urged the Migori County Security team, led by County Commissioner Kisilu Mutua, to consider banning the scrap metal business in the area. This call for action follows complaints from the local children's services office, which reported a ten-fold increase in child labor in the region.

Simon Orenge, County Children's Services Director, condemned the exploitation of children by scrap metal dealers and insisted that the business must cease to protect the children's education. He also urged law enforcement to arrest and charge parents who permit their children to engage in such activities and to take strong action against scrap metal dealers who perpetuate this practice.

Orenge further called for immediate measures to remove children from sand harvesting and gold mining sites, where many have recently sought to earn money at the cost of their education.