Alarm has been raised over the increasing cases of child abduction and defilement in Kiambu County.

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Speaking during a graduation ceremony at the Aimeel Preparatory School in Ruiru, Kiambu sub-county Education Director Roselyne Ritaba asked parents to remain vigilant and ensure their children’s safety during this holiday period.

Ritaba said children in the county are at risk of falling victim to the criminals who have increased their operations especially in Kiambu town, Thika, Ruiru and Juja areas.

She further noted that the criminals have been targeting young girls and boys hence the need for parents to be on high alert.

The education director blamed the rising cases of abduction on the high cost of living arguing that the kidnappers are usually motivated by money.

“It's high time parents exercised their parental guidance to their children this time round to minimise these cases,” said Ritaba, as quoted by Thika Town Today.

On his part, Goal Setters Foundation counsellor Njoki Mwaura decried the high number of candidates who gave birth during the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, noting that the trend was worrying.

He noted that some of the cases were as a result of defilement and warned parents against allowing their children to walk alone in town centres.