Children’s rights stakeholders in Meru County have raised concern over increasing cases of child labour, abuse and the concealment of evidence when children are victimized, prompting renewed calls for dialogue among parents, teachers and learners to address the growing challenges.
The concerns were raised during the Day of the African Child celebrations held at St Joseph Primary School in Igoji West, South Imenti. The annual event, marked every June 16, commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, where students protested against poor-quality education and apartheid policies.
This year’s celebrations also coincided with the World Day Against Child Labour, an annual campaign spearheaded by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to raise awareness about child labour and strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating the practice.
Speaking on behalf of Meru County Commissioner George Omollo, his Personal Assistant Benson Mbithi warned adults who prey on school-going children for sexual exploitation, saying such acts undermine the future of young people.
In his message, Omollo underscored the need to nurture, protect and empower children to enable them to achieve their full potential.
“Your opportunities are limitless. Children have a right to education, protection against discrimination, abuse, sexual and gender-based violence, and must be provided with a dignified environment to thrive and grow into healthy and productive citizens,” said Omollo.
Meru County Executive Committee Member for Sports and Gender Elius Murega and County Director of Gender Hellen Kaberia urged stakeholders to embrace dialogue as a key tool for addressing challenges facing learners and reducing cases of unrest in schools.
Murega, who presided over the distribution of water tanks to primary schools in the ward, said the county government was working to address water shortages in both learning institutions and communities.
“I urge parents to be good ambassadors to their children. The unrest we are witnessing in some schools today is partly because learners imitate what they see adults doing, including protests and destruction of property. We are also lobbying for the establishment of a children’s court in Meru,” said Murega.
Kaberia called on parents, teachers and guardians to strengthen guidance and counselling efforts to help children navigate the challenges they encounter.
“It is difficult for today’s children to imagine that some of us walked to school barefoot. We must walk this journey together and use dialogue to resolve the issues affecting learners,” she said.
South Imenti Children’s Officer Pauline Mukami urged residents to remain vigilant in protecting children’s rights and reporting cases of abuse whenever they occur.
She noted that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility and essential in building a safer and healthier society.
Speakers at the event commended Mukami for her efforts in reducing cases of child labour, child abuse and sexual and gender-based violence in South Imenti.
Meru County Labour Coordinator Catherine Kaberia said the country loses up to 40 per cent of income along the tea and coffee value chains due to child labour.
“Keep children in school. Say no to employment of children. Speak up when things are not going well at home or in school or community,” she said.
The event brought together government officials, teachers, parents, learners and child rights advocates, who renewed their commitment to protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their rights are upheld.
