Parents and caregivers in Manguo sub-location in the outskirts of Nyahururu town have been trained and sensitised on the rights of children by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
This has been necessitated by the increased cases of child abuse and neglect in the informal settlement according to the KNCHR Central Regional Office Coordinator Ruth Getobai.
She called for concerted efforts to fight child abuse while at the same time urging parents to vigilant and protect their children from falling prey to sexual predators.
At least 11 cases of child abuse and neglect have been reported this year alone in the area.
“As parents, we need to accept our children even if they are intersex and avoid stigmatising them because they also grow to become great people in society. We also need to take great care of children living with disability, protect them from abuse and register them with the necessary bodies to ensure we get some support that is offered by such groups,” said Ms Getobai.
The parents were empowered on the rights of children among them; correct registration when they are born and cooperation with duty bearers in school and also on their obligations as parents.
On her side, Nyahururu sub-county Children’s Officer, Gladys Langat, noted that the first primary responsibility of a parent is to take care of children.
She argued that children belong to families and a child well-taken care of transitions to a better and responsible adult in the future.
“We have also enlightened parents and caregivers on the care reforms strategy of 2022-2032 where the government wishes to abolish residential care for children and instead ensure children that belong to families are taken care of at the family level without institutionalising them at children’s homes,” said Ms. Langat.
The area sub-chief Joseph Chege warned abusers of children that they will be arrested and arraigned.
He called on residents to always report any incidences regarding child abuse or neglect.
Also present in the sensitization forum were Assistant County Commissioner 1, Nyahururu Sub County Joseph Wanyonyi, Assistant County Commissioner, Nyahururu Division Catherine Kanyanya, Nyahururu OCS Beatrice Wambugu, and other civil society representatives.
By Antony Mwangi and Grace Njeri
