Security agents in Nakuru County have raised concerns over the increased involvement of girls in criminal activities, even as the world commemorates the day of the girl child.
Inspector Johnson Kivuva, while rallying stakeholders behind the protection of the rights of the girl child, regretted that many girls were now flouting the law.
“As much as we are championing the rights of the girl child, we need to look at the risks that these girls are exposed to, including joining criminal gangs.
“Girls find themselves in criminal activities, and though their numbers are still insignificant for now, the increase is a worrying trend,” added Kivuva, calling on girls to desist from crimes.
The police officer serving at Nakuru’s Kiratina Police station noted that girls as young as primary school-going children have been found in conflict with the law, regretting that some were also abusing drugs.
Speaking during the International Day for the Girl Child at Ngala School for the Deaf, County Executive Committee member for Youth, Sports, Gender, Social Service, and Inclusivity, Ms. Josephine Achieng, encouraged the girls to prioritise education, discipline, and faith.
“I call upon our security agents to fully enforce provisions of the Children’s Act, particularly on cases of defilement and gender-based violence, as a way of protecting our girls,” noted Achieng.
The CEC regretted that cases of defilement had long bureaucratic procedures that were traumatising to the girls, calling for a policy to ensure speedy justice is served to the children.
“The last two months of the year will be a long school holiday, and the girls will need sanitary towels so that they are not pushed to engage in sex for pads due to the poverty at home,” added Achieng, calling on well-wishers to pool resources to afford the girls the pads as the county government draws up a plan to ensure all schools have the kitty.
The executive director of the Africa Heart Organisation, Ms. Bore Powell, who joined other civil society groups in the distribution of sanitary towels and undergarments, noted that at least one in every four girls dropped out of primary school, with four in every 10 girls dropping out of secondary school for lack of supplies to take care of their menstrual cycles.
“Africa Heart has pooled partners to ensure the girls have access to sanitary towels, undergarments, and menstrual hygiene training in school to ensure the girls remain in school and graduate,” noted Powell.
The President of the Rotary Club of Nakuru, James Yegon, urged the government and other stakeholders to join in the efforts to safeguard the welfare of the girl child.
By Anne Sabuni
