Kisii County is currently implementing a new project aimed at eliminating child labour in the tea and coffee sectors within the region.
The project, dubbed “Accelerating action for the elimination of child labour in Africa,” is spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), social partners, line ministries, and various departments.
Speaking during the International World Day Against Child Labour celebrations at Getembe Primary School in Kitutu Central Sub County, County Labour Officer Charles Muniko noted that since Kisii relies on agriculture for socio-economic development, there were notable forms of child labour witnessed in the sector.
“We are creating awareness about the dangers and consequences of child labour within the county, as evidenced by tasks such as tea picking, coffee picking, fertiliser application, and delivery of the cash crops to buying centres,” Muniko said.
The Labour Officer added that activities including soapstone carving, hawking in the Central Business District (CBD), especially at Daraja Mbili Market, and prostitution were also becoming a growing concern among children in Kisii.
According to Muniko, these forms of exploitative labour are depriving the children of their right to access quality education and achieve better future prospects.
Speaking at the same event, Kisii Central Sub-County Children’s Officer Joyce Keno emphasised the importance of educating a child, adding that access to quality education provides children with equal opportunities.
Ms. Keno noted that the government remains committed to ensuring that every child acquires education through the various programmes offered to boost the education sector, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We have the Presidential Secondary School Bursary Scheme and the Inua Jamii Programme that ensure orphaned children are supported with basic needs and education fully,” she said.
In addition, the Children’s Officer encouraged parents with children living with disabilities to liaise with the relevant department so that they could benefit from the kitty that supports physically and mentally-challenged children to be in school up to tertiary levels.
A representative of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), Thomas Mirere, emphasised that children should be allowed to go through basic education before they are employed in any form of domestic work.
Mirere called for collaboration among various stakeholders working with children to ensure they eliminate all forms of child labour and abuse in Kisii County.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that 8.5 per cent, or an equivalent of 1.3 million children, are engaged in child labour.
The organisation notes that the highest child labour rates (at more than 30 per cent), are recorded in the arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) counties.
KNBS also reveals that child labour primarily occurs in informal production, particularly in the agriculture sector.
By Mercy Osongo and Linet Akinyi
