Central Region Director of Criminal Investigations, Dr Abraham Mugambi, has appealed to parents to take their responsibilities of bringing up their children seriously, warning that failure to do so is leading to a rise in cases of child neglect and abandonment.
Dr Mugambi raised concerns over the growing cases of parental neglect which he linked to the high number of abandoned children in rescue centers warning that such actions by parents could attract serious legal consequences: “It is really unfortunate when we see able people neglecting their responsibility. It is criminal and we will not tolerate this worrying trend. I want to urge Kenyans to report such parents to us so that we can take action against them in accordance with the law,” he said.
Dr Mugambi spoke in Kamakwa Nyeri, when he led DCI officers from Kiambu, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Nyeri for a charity visit at the Little Angels Children Rescue Centre.
The home houses 85 children some of whom were rescued by police officers from abusive households.
The regional boss noted that stable families were key in safeguarding the welfare of children adding that domestic conflicts and family disintegration were among the leading causes of child abandonment.
He also raised concerns over the poor living conditions some children were forced to endure terming them avoidable in a society with capable adults.
“If parents played their role as they should, we would not be having such needy cases in rescue centers and children’s homes. Some of these children are living in a deplorable environment and it is really unfortunate to see this happening when it can be prevented,” he said.
Dr Mugambi said that the early visit was informed by the demanding security duties that law enforcement officers will be undertaking to secure the country during the upcoming Easter holiday.
He at the same time appealed to well-wishers to support the less fortunate in society during the festivities.
“I want to urge the people from this region to support the less fortunate and give a smile to a needy case during this Easter season,” said Dr Mugambi.
By Wangari Mwangi
