The National Human Rights Commission has raised concerns over the rise of child molestation, exploitation and neglect in Kisumu County.
In a newly released report, the Western Kenya Human Rights Network blames increased cases of violation of children’s rights on poor efforts by authorities to correct the worsening situation.
Lack of inefficient and inaccessible children’s offices and protection units was blamed for rising abuse of minors, expressed through increased child labour, early marriages and pregnancies, and school dropouts.
“There are no safe houses where children rescued can safely be accommodated, leaving human rights activists with limited choices when faced with violations of children’s rights,” said the report on the status of human rights in the county.
The report also accuses teachers of being non-cognisant of children’s rights, especially that of education.
“There have been cases of children being sent away from school even during the national examinations, thereby completely interfering with their rights to education. This continues to backwash efforts to have children enjoy their rights to education by locking them out of school,” read part of the report.
According to the same report, the location of children’s office on the 11th floor of Kisumu County’s Prosperity House, which lacks an elevator, has also contributed to some of the factors limiting the accessibility of the office and its officials.
The report further cited that people with disabilities, children, pregnant women and the elderly as the most challenged in reaching the office.
The network asked the county governments to join them in educating the public on the importance of safeguarding children’s rights.
The report called on them to implement Acts and constitutional provisions that protect children’s rights. It further recommended the setting up of safe houses where victims of violation can seek protection and redress as well as establishment of child offenders’ registries both at the county and national levels to punish culprits.