Two non-governmental organizations, The International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) and Lake Victoria basin Talent development and adolescent health (LVBTDAH), have embarked on a sustained campaign to educate the public on child rights and fight against child abuse in Homa Bay County.
Speaking during a campaign event in Wiga location, ICMEC Regional Project Manager Afina Morgan said adolescent sex cases only happen because most parents do not take the time to talk to their children about such matters.
Morgan urged parents to have time for their children because they are the only people, children can confide in case of any issue.
“The parents are the people who should give ears to the children and take their issues seriously, instead of just assuming they are okay,” she said.
Her colleague Christopher Nyamburi implored the government to protect defiled children, who were being intimidated by the suspects during investigations.
The County Director of Children’s Services Peter Kutere however blamed the rising cases of child defilement on the involvement of parents and some people in authority in concealing such incidents when they occur.
“Some parents and even those in authority have the tendency of taking bribes from the offenders to conceal defilement cases, making it hard for the police to apprehend such criminals,” he said.
He warned any parents who conceal such cases saying anyone found doing that will face the full force of the law regardless of their relationship with the victim.
Kutere advised the parents to closely monitor their children who will be at home during the upcoming long holiday.
By Nicholas Otieno
