The department of children in Homa Bay has raised concern over an emerging trend of child radicalisation and increasing cases of neglect and abuse across the region.
County Coordinator of Children Services, Kiribwa Kennedy, warned that certain religious sects are influencing children to abandon school and avoid medical care, putting their well-being at risk.
“We have noted with a lot of concern that some denominations are preventing children from attending school or going to hospital. We did not want to experience what was previously seen in the Coast region, so we acted early and contained the situation,” said Kiribwa.
The incidents were reported around the Rodi area towards Rongo, where authorities intervened swiftly with support from the Kenya Police Service and the office of the County Commissioner.
He confirmed that the situation has since been neutralised, but security teams remain on high alert. “We have people on the ground, and in case of anything, we can move in quickly. We also urge members of the public to report such incidents so that we can protect our children,” he added.
Data from the Child Protection Information Management System shows that 10,200 cases were reported in the last financial year alone. The majority, about 70 per cent, fall under neglect, custody disputes, maintenance issues, and defilement. He noted that they receive these cases on a daily basis, pointing out Rachuonyo East, Suba North, and Suba South sub-counties as areas with high prevalence rates.
Ndhiwa was singled out as a hotspot for defilement, early marriages, and gender-based violence involving children. “Ndhiwa has a high rate of GBV affecting children, and it remains an area of major concern,” Kiribwa said. He attributed the rising cases largely to tough economic conditions and fragile family structures.
“Many families are struggling to make ends meet, and this affects their ability to care for children. Additionally, some marriages are not stable, and when couples separate, children are often left stranded,” he noted. In cases involving child maintenance, the department facilitates joint parental agreements to ensure children receive proper care.
Despite the growing workload, the department faces a shortage of personnel. Homa Bay has 12 sub-counties, but children’s officers are only enough to cover nine, leaving gaps in service delivery. “We need more officers, especially in Suba North and South, which are red-flag areas for abuse cases. Currently, we rely on 62 child protection volunteers to support our work,” he emphasised.
Despite the presence of numerous civil society organisations in the county, cases of child abuse continue to rise, raising questions about the effectiveness of current interventions.
To strengthen child protection efforts, the department has launched several initiatives, including the formation of the Kenya Children Assembly Homa Bay Chapter to empower children and give them a platform to voice their concerns.
Plans are also underway to establish a child rescue centre in Ndhiwa Sub-County, which will provide temporary shelter for vulnerable children as authorities work toward family reunification.
Additionally, a toll-free helpline, 116, has been introduced to allow children in distress to seek immediate assistance.
Kiribwa called for increased collaboration and community involvement, acknowledging the role of internal security agencies in supporting child protection efforts. “We appreciate the support from internal security, but we must all remain vigilant. Protecting our children is a shared responsibility,” he said.
By Sitna Omar
