Kisii County Commissioner Godfrey Kigochi has raised alarm over the increased number of minors operating as traders in local markets.
Speaking in Kisii town on Monday, the commissioner fired warning shots at parents who allow their underage children to sell items at the market instead of being in school.
"Underage children should not be allowed to do manual works on behalf of their parents. A crackdown will be conducted across all the markets in Kisii to ensure no underage child is operating as a trader," he stated.
Kigochi cited Keumbu Market and Daraja Mbili Market as the leading markets where minors have been operating as traders.
He warned residents against hiring underage children as workers, adding that child labour is illegal and punishable by law.
"Police officers on patrol should ensure no minor is running any business at the market. All children should be allowed to be in school every day because the government is investing heavily in free education," he added.
Kigochi challenged school principals to ensure no child misses school, adding that disciplinary action should be taken against pupils who fail to attend school without any valid reasons.