Parents in Kikuyu Sub-County have been advised to vet potential house helps before hiring them so as to avoid cases of child mistreatment.
Speaking in her office Kikuyu Sub-County Children Protection Officer Phyllis Wangeci said there have been reported cases of house helps maiming children to the point of murder.
She said nannies are have also been accused of husband snatching, food poisoning, child mistreating and even theft.
The officer said that although families nowadays opt not to employ house helps because of the above reasons, some cannot cope without the extra help.
Wangeci advised parents to vet the potential housekeepers by insisting on references from the previous employer because that will give an insight on the reputation of the nanny adding that one should be skeptical when the house help refuses to give references.
She said it is very important to take a picture and a copy of the house help's ID after giving her a job so as to make it easy for the police and the public to identify her in case of kidnapping or theft.
The officer said that parents should get house helps from agencies because they take full responsibility for the actions of the nanny they give to you thus they ensure they properly train them and equip them with the required skills.
Wangeci said parents on the other hand should be fair to the housekeepers and avoid mistreating them as they usually take out the anger the children.
She said house helps should be paid a decent wage for the services provided as under payment has been cited as the reason why nannies tend to become hostile.
Rose Nasirumbi, a mother of two, cited an incident where her house help left her baby unattended and called on other parents to ensure they vet their house helps before hiring them.