Iten Senior Principal Magistrate, Gladys Adhiambo, has called on local administrators to take a proactive role in addressing child welfare issues, to guarantee that minors grow-up in a safe environment.
Speaking at the Iten Law Courts during the launch of the Child Justice Service Month, Adhiambo expressed concern that most child-related cases, only reach the courts after the victims have already endured severe suffering, despite local leaders and neighbours being in a position to intervene early.
She pointed out that Administrators at the grassroots, level often overlook clear signs of neglect, such as prolonged school absenteeism, by assuming the responsibility lies solely with the parents.
“As a local Administrator, you are the one at the grassroots and witness children being abused. You shouldn’t wait until the case is reported; you need to be proactive and report,” she said.
The Magistrate emphasized that safeguarding children and ensuring they access basic rights including education, is a collective societal duty that cannot be left to the Children’s Department alone.
While acknowledging that certain minor disputes, can be resolved through Alternative Justice Systems (AJS), Adhiambo issued a stern warning against settling child sexual abuse cases out of court.
She stated that all sexual offences against minors must be prosecuted in a court of law, warning that anyone found conducting “kangaroo courts” to conceal such crimes, will face legal action.
The Magistrate lamented that children face threats even in spaces meant to protect them, citing instances of abuse by clergy members in churches and fathers within families, where perpetrators are often shielded to protect family secrets.
She also condemned excessive physical punishment by parents, who project their personal frustrations onto their children, noting alarming cases where parents burn their children’s hands over minor offences such as stealing.
“Such punishment is not discipline, it is abuse, and the society knows about it, yet keeps quiet,” she said, adding that children also suffer deep psychological harm when forced to witness domestic violence between fighting parents, while neighbours dismiss the incidents as private family matters.
“We must know that it is our responsibility, to take care of the children, as children belong to us.”
In addition to child protection, the Magistrate urged residents to visit the courts freely to learn about judicial processes, including seeking assistance from the court’s ICT officers on how to filecomplaints online.
She warned the public against corruption, reminding them that the judiciary operates on a strict cashless policy, saying anyone demanding cash payments is soliciting a bribe noting that both the giver and the taker are guilty of a criminal offence.
“The days when people would boast that they know a judge or magistrate so that cases can be ruled in their favour are long gone,” she said.
By Alice Wanjiru
