Scrap metal business has become a threat to education as school-going children are deeply engrossed in the trade, Kiambu children’s coordinator, Mong'are Mwambi has revealed.
Speaking in his office on Tuesday, Mwambi observed that child labour in the area was rife as children choose the trade over school as it offers quick cash.
He said the situation is worse during school holidays. “Child labour is rife in this region with adults using children to collect scrap metal thereby compromising their right to education,’’ said Mwambi.
The children’s coordinator attributed the vice to high poverty levels in the area. He at the same time warned parents who fail to take their children to school that they will be prosecuted.
He claimed that some parents had failed in their duty to monitor what their children do during school hours. Instead of going to school, said the officer, some children join their friends who have absconded school for the trade.
Mwambi said children as young as four years are engaged in the trade and earn as little as Sh5 in return.
The officer said that there were many cases of child labour in the county, a situation she argued infringes on children rights.
“Children are drawn from the rural areas by their relatives or caretakers who lie to them that they will take them to school only to becom house helps when they arrive in town,” lamented Mwambi.
He said his office has partnered with other relevant governmental stakeholders to sensitise parents and business people against engaging hiring children.