Thika sub-county children’s officer,Rebecca Kariuki has raised concern over rampant child neglect cases in the area.
Kariuki, who was speaking to the press in her office after a series of meetings with children’s homes owners in Thika on Tuesday afternoon, said that child neglect cases are on the rise and many young parents are flocking her office day to day seeking help.
She added that the incidences have risen to an alarming rate and her office has been overwhelmed by the cases.
“This office is overwhelmed by many cases since the year started yet some of the cases are very minor and can be solved and avoided by parents and guardians. I have been sending most of them to the other departments to seek help due to the high number of incidences reported”, she said.
She added that if parents were more sensitive to the plight of their children such cases would be minimized and children would get more opportunities to grow and realize their full potential in future.
The officer said among the common cases is child neglect cases by the parents were those who abscond their responsibility especially on educating their children with other children being left with their grandparents.
She urged the local administration especially chiefs and their assistants to educate the community on the critical need to take care of their children.