National government administrators have sent a firm warning to organisers of disco clubs against allowing children to patronise their premises in Kendu Bay town or in any other trading centre.
The Deputy County Commissioners (DCC) Aaron Koross and Jacinta Ogada for Rachuonyo North and Rachuonyo West Sub-Counties, respectively, said the directive is meant to protect children and their rights and anybody going against this directive would have their licences cancelled.
“We have also given warning to organisers and operators of those businesses and we are working closely with Homa Bay County government officials to ensure that any business that admits children in their disco will have their licence cancelled,” said Koross.
He said as a security committee, they have agreed and are committed to safeguarding children.
“I have directed all chiefs to ensure no child is in the market as of 6 pm,” Ogada said, adding, “I have also warned parents against sending their children to the market late in the evening.”
The administrator said parents in the sub-county were aware of the directive and that chiefs would be in the markets as of 4pm.
She called on parents to monitor the whereabouts of their children to ensure they are safe during the long school holiday, especially in the festive month of December.
The administrators were speaking during an event organised by Kendu Bay Law Court to mark the children service month open day at Court’s grounds.
On child abuse, DCC Koross said they have issued firm instructions to chiefs and their assistants that they should not interfere with cases involving defilement but should instead let the cases follow due process till conclusion.
He called for swift action when one is called upon to secure the safety of any abused child, noting, “children are important for the future of any nation. We will work very closely to ensure our children’s rights are observed.”
The administrators thanked the Judiciary for organising the children service month and bringing them together so that they understand the issues affecting children.
“I want to request stakeholders here; let’s work closely to ensure that the challenges children face in this region are addressed,” DCC Koross said.
He said the government might not do everything but observed, “if we put our heads together and ensure that whatever little resources we have achieve the children needs and ensure their rights are observed and protected, it will go a long way in assisting all of us.”
“We are ready as duty bearers to coordinate all government agencies,” Ogada said as she also called for tightening of the loose ends to ensure justice for abused children.
Senior Principal Magistrate and Head of Kendu Bay Law Court Ezekiel Obina observed that the protection of children required not just legal interventions but also community awareness, partnership and compassion.
The magistrate said the children’s service months reminded all that children’s matters were not the responsibility of a single institution but a shared duty that calls for collaboration between family, school, community and the justice system.
Also present during the event was Joyce Onyango, the area Children Officer, who called for the creation of safe spaces to hold children who needed care and protection.
She said there is not even one children’s home available in the sub-county to support abused children.
By Moseti Julius
