Gucha Sub County Child Labour Committee today convened at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Ogembo to review matters concerning children welfare and ways of keeping them safe.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy County Commissioner Estherina Kung’u and Kisii County Labour Officer Marcelyne Etyang, brought together government officials, security agencies and child protection officers.
Committee members expressed concern that most child labour cases stem from financial hardships within families, with many households unable to provide basic needs such as education and food, hence, children are being forced to seek income for survival.
The meeting underscored the urgency of protecting children from being forced into labour and ensuring that their rights, enshrined in both national and international legal frameworks, are upheld in practice.
The committee observed that young girls are increasingly being found in entertainment joints such as bars, while boys are often seen working or loitering around boda boda stages, exposing them harmful environments and possible exploitation.
Sub-county OCPD, Christine Amaya, noted with alarm that there has been a growing trend of children being transported from Kisii town to Ogembo town, particularly on market days, to beg on the streets.
She explained that many of these children are unable to disclose their original homes, with some living with cognitive impairments and other developmental challenges, including physical disabilities.
The OCPD assured the meeting that police are on the lookout for those ferrying vulnerable children to exploit their conditions for profit.
Amaya further stated that efforts are underway to make police stations across the sub-county more child-friendly, ensuring that children feel safe enough to report cases of exploitation without fear or intimidation.
The committee resolved to strengthen coordination among agencies and pledged to promptly share any information relating to child exploitation to ensure timely intervention by authorities.
The discussions come against the backdrop of strong legal protections enshrined in both Kenyan and international law. Article 53(1)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees every child the right to be protected from hazardous or exploitative labour, while Article 30 expressly prohibits slavery, servitude, and forced labour. The Children Act of 2022 and the Employment Act also outlaw the engagement of minors in work that undermines their education, health, or overall development.
Internationally, Kenya is bound by the International Labour Organization’s Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182), which calls for the urgent elimination of exploitative child labour, as well as the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which in Article 15 commits states to protect children from harmful work that endangers their growth and dignity.
Despite these safeguards, the situation in Gucha reflects the persistent gap between law and practice, particularly in rural and poverty-stricken communities. Officials stressed that addressing child labour will require not only stricter enforcement of existing laws but also stronger social protection measures and community awareness.
Among those present was Gucha Children’s Officer, Elyn Mamati, alongside other government officials.
By Misheba Alfred
