Activists have asked the Kisumu County government to stop using street children to collect garbage.
The activists accused Kisumu City managers of involving street children in collecting garbage.
Kisumu Residence Voice Association Chairman Audi Ogada said the involvement of street boys and girls in garbage collection is unconstitutional.
Speaking during a marginalised and minority group forum in Nyalenda on Saturday, Mr Ogada said children collecting garbage were being exposed to diseases.
The forum was organised by the African Woman and Child to deliberate on problems facing minority and marginalised people in Kisumu.
Ogada said those collecting waste materials from the dump site were contracting Hepatitis C, a disease that leads to swelling of the liver resulting in death.
He said the children were also picking used syringes and infected blood that is dumped at compost pits.
“We will sue the county government if they do not stop engaging children in waste collection,” Mr Ogada said.
Kenya Female Advisory Organisation Executive Director, Easter Achieng said the presence of dangerous medical waste is a threat to them since they lack protective gear.
Achieng said residents were at the risk of contracting water borne diseases over uncollected garbage in various estates.
She said that the garbage piles were a source of food for street kids as they could be seen foraging in them.
“We are calling upon the county government to obey the law by protecting children rights,” Ms Achieng said.
She threatened that unless the county looked for ways to collect waste, activists might be forced to take them to court.
County Executive for Education, Youth and Social Services Jennifer Kere describe the acts as unfortunate and unconstitutional.
Kere said the county government was drafting a Child Protection Bill that will effectively address child abuse and labour.
She promised to engage city manager Doris Ombara to block street kids from garbage collection.