The Government has released about Sh9 million to 4,800 families in Nyeri that are registered under the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC) programme.
Nyeri County Children Services Coordinator Joseph Mburu told KNA the Sh2,000 per beneficiary per month disbursement, which was released this week, covers the month of March.
The officer also clarified that the money can be accessed either through the e-wallet or be withdrawn at any M-Pesa agent at no cost.
He has advised caregivers to use the money prudently and for the intended purpose and warned that any misuse could lead to disqualification of the caregiver.
“We advise them (caregivers) to withdraw money from agents so that they get Sh2,000. But if they transfer the money to their own phones, it will be subject to deductions just like in the normal transactions,” said Mburu.
Caregivers have also been advised to utilise the cash for the welfare of the beneficiaries and not to divert it to unrelated or less important expenses.
When used properly, the stipend can go a long way in improving the welfare of the entire family, including coming up with small-scale income-generating ventures such as roadside green grocery stores.
On Monday, the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services announced the release of Sh860,396,000 under the CT-OVC programme for the month of March.
In a statement availed to the press, the Ministry said the money would be disbursed to the households through the contracted Payment Service Provider.
Mburu has also advised eligible households who are yet to be captured in the system to be patient and await the announcement for the next scale-up exercise.
He said once the government gives the nod for the registration of new beneficiaries, his office would liaise with relevant stakeholders in sensitising the public through appropriate channels.
“We haven’t done any scaling up yet but we are hoping it will be done soon. Once it is announced, our people will be told through the chiefs, local media stations and through our sub-county officers. We will also involve our churches and even mosques in passing the information to the public,” he said.
On another note, parents have also been advised on the need to keep a keen eye on their children as learning institutions close for the April holiday.
The Children officer noted that while holidays are a well-deserved break for children away from the rigorous demands of class work, they also pose a fertile ground for paedophiles intending to prey on children.
Mburu has therefore advised parents against entrusting their children to all and sundry, stating that many children have been abused while under the hands of well-known and close relatives.
“We urge parents to take care of their children during the three-week holiday. We urge them to know where their children are and where they are playing at all times. In case the children have to be left behind, they should be left with a fit person. Someone who will not abuse the child while the parents are away,” he advises.
Mburu has also raised the issue of children being lured with gifts by strangers and sometimes people known to them only to end up being abused or killed by the same people.
He is therefore telling parents to strictly warn their children against taking gifts from people unless in the company of a minder.
In addition, the officer has also raised the issue of exposing children to too much screen time, saying it is not good for the children’s wellbeing.
“Control the time your child spends with electronic devices, whether while watching TV, on the tablet or mobile phone. Parents can use the 20-20-20 rule to reduce the damage that will happen to their eyes. For children in play groups, and for grades 1-3, limit computer or tablet use to no more than one hour. In fact, one hour is enough in a day,” he warns.
“After every 20 minutes on a screen, let the child look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It helps prevent eye strain. And this doesn’t apply to children alone; even adults can benefit,” he advised.
The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reports that children aged between 8-10 years spend at least six hours on the screen; 11 -14 years spend nine hours, while 15 to 18 years spend between 7 to 12 hours.
Dr Samina Yousuf and OSF HealthCare, a paediatrician working in Peoria, Illinois, say studies have shown a link between excessive screen exposure and various mental health issues, including obesity, depression, behavioural issues and anxiety.
She recommends that to address the challenge, children under two years should have zero screen time except for video chatting with family or friends.
For those between two and five years, she recommends not more than one hour per day while co-viewing with a parent or sibling and for those between five to 17 years not more than two hours’ screen time per day unless when doing homework.
On cyberbullying, Mburu has called for close monitoring of children when they are on any social media platform to help detect any unusual traffic that may be a red flag for the safety of the child.
He said several cases of children who have committed suicide have been traced to online games in which the winner is directed to take away his life.
“As a parent, ensure you monitor what your child is watching online. Let children know when someone is trying to follow them because that is when they get enticed. There are some games where children play and the final winner ends up taking away their lives and that is how some children have committed suicide in their bedrooms,” he stated.
By Samuel Maina
