Parents in Athi River Sub-County have been urged to exercise their parental responsibilities by offering children maximum protection during the December holidays.
Addressing journalists his office in Athi River Town on Wednesday, the Athi River deputy county commissioner, Kodeck Makori, said some of the parents in the area were irresponsible.
Makori said the situation exposed children from such families to great danger since several criminal activities take place during the festive season.
He condemned parents who leave their parenting responsibilities solemnly to their house helps, arguing that most of them instill bad morals in the children whenever the parents are away.
Makori said that he had received reports of several children from the region enganging in illegal activities such as child labour and drug abuse without their parents knowledge.
He attributed this to negative peer influence and pressure, alongside laxity among parents who do not care what their children do and the people they associate with.
Makori said parents should keep a close eye on their children at all times, to avoid cases of children getting lost during the December holidays, as has been the norm in the past.
He said those who will be found neglecting their children will be charged according to the law.