The Government has raised alarm over the number of children taking to the streets to beg for alms in order to assist their parents in fending for their families.
Nyeri Central DCC Maina Ngunyi says in recent days, there has been a rise in the number of minors who have taken to begging within Nyeri town at a time when they should be in school.
Ngunyi has termed the practice not only an affront to the rights of the children but also a criminal offence for those involved.
“It has come to our attention that some parents have been sending their children to solicit for money in town instead of allowing such kids to attend to their school work. Most of these children are being sighted after school hours along Gakere road in downtown and near the open-air market.”
He said it has also been established that parents are even setting targets on how much each child should bring home, with some demanding up to sh250 from each child. We want such parents to stop these practices and allow the children to continue with their learning, failure to which we will go after them.
Ngunyi spoke during the celebrations to mark this year’s World Day against Child Labour at the King’ong’o Primary school grounds.
“The child is supposed to be doing her homework, not strolling the streets begging for money. We should not be abusing the same children we want to be leaders of tomorrow.”
The DCC also raised issues with parents who are employing the help of their children in managing their business premises after school hours, a tendency he said does not augur well for a child’s overall growth.
Maina observed that some parents near the main matatu terminus were even allowing their children to do their homework in such premises in order for such minors to assist in attending to clients.
He said apart from the practice being a violation of the rights of the children, the very environment some were operating from was not conducive to them.
“Children should not be denied work but such employment should be light work. Unfortunately, parents are now going further by allowing children to do their homework at their business premises. But such premises are not places that are conducive for a child’s learning,” he pointed out.
The administrator has also advised parents to warn their children of the need to keep their distance from persons who are strangers to them to avoid falling prey to abuse.
The DCC said there was a need for children to be wary of persons who try to get cosy with them since closeness may be a bait into a death trap or sexual abuse.
“As children do not trust everyone who tries to sound nice and promises to splash you with your goodies. When such a person approaches you report him or her to your teacher or a parent. Do not keep silent. Anyone who is not your close relative is a stranger. Avoid him at all costs,” he urged the children in attendance.
On her part, Nyeri County Labour Officer Joan Wangari said young people are the future of the country and, as a result, need to be accorded all the support needed to help them attain their full potential later in life.
She said it behoves all and sundry to work hand in hand to ensure every child in the country is safe and can access quality education.
Ms Wangari further said the values enshrined in the Constitution and other applicable laws that touch on the rights of children should always form the bedrock from which children are nurtured.
“This year’s theme, ‘Progress is Clear, but there is more to do: Let’s speed up efforts’, reminds us that although we have made great steps in reducing child labour, the journey is not yet over. In Kenya, many children are now in school and that’s something to be proud of. But sadly, some children are still working in farms, homes or businesses instead of being in class. This must change,” she stressed.
“Let me be clear – child labour is not the same as helping at home or participating in family duties in a healthy environment. Child labour is when work deprives children of their education, health, safety, or basic rights. Child labour is not just about work – it’s about stolen dreams. This must never be tolerated.”
During the event the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) through the office of DCC pledged to donate 216 boxes of sanitary towels, while the Rotary Club of Nyeri gave 8 boxes of the essential towels to the school.
Statistics from the ILO show one out of every four children in Kenya and the larger Sub-Saharan Africa are being exploited in some form of labour.
Back home, figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicate that 8.5 per cent of children in Kenya (1.3 million) are engaged in child labour.
And while 30 per cent of child labour cases are from ASAL counties, the agriculture sector plays a big role in contributing to the exploitation of children, especially in the tea and coffee sectors.
By Samuel Maina and Christine Mumbi
