Stakeholders in Sabatia Sub-County have been urged to strengthen efforts to combat rising cases of defilement and protect children from sexual abuse.
Speaking during a Sabatia Sub-County Service Delivery meeting at the Deputy County Commissioner’s (DCC) boardroom, Sabatia DCC Festus Munyao called on parents, teachers, religious leaders, security agencies and the wider community to work together to prevent cases of defilement.
Munyao expressed concern over the increasing number of reported cases, describing the trend as alarming and urging all stakeholders to take responsibility for safeguarding children.
“It takes the concerted efforts of all stakeholders to fight the rising number of defilement cases and protect our children. We must all rise to the occasion,” said Munyao.
He called on the Ministry of Health, the National Police Service and the Department of Children Services to establish a common information-sharing mechanism to ensure that agencies maintain coordinated and accurate records on cases affecting children, particularly defilement.
Munyao said discrepancies in records among different government departments could undermine efforts to effectively respond to cases and protect victims.
Sabatia Sub-County Administration Police Commander Jonathan Kiterie urged residents to provide information on suspected cases and assured them that their identities would be kept confidential.
Kiterie regretted that some residents were reluctant to provide information or evidence that could help investigators apprehend and prosecute suspected perpetrators.
He said some cases were instead handled through informal “kangaroo courts”, which could compromise justice and allow perpetrators to escape accountability.
The commander warned residents against taking the law into their own hands, saying anyone involved in such actions would face legal consequences.
Sabatia Sub-County Children Officer Emily Mageto said her office handled 192 cases involving children during the last financial year, with 57 relating to child custody.
She said challenges surrounding child custody and family relationships could contribute to vulnerability among children and increase risks of defilement and incest.
Mageto also raised concern over cases of sexual abuse involving learners in junior schools, saying some children were engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviour among themselves.
She attributed the trend partly to inadequate parental guidance and called for stronger parenting and child protection interventions.
The Children Officer identified boda boda riders and some individuals working in gold mining areas as among the groups frequently implicated in defilement cases, saying some allegedly lure children with small amounts of money or food.
She urged parents and guardians to closely monitor children and report suspicious behaviour to the relevant authorities.
Mageto added that the department had registered 2,100 caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children under the Inua Jamii programme, aimed at supporting vulnerable households.
By Maureen Imbayi
