Quarry owners in Bahati constituency have been warned against employing children to work in their mines.
Kiamaina senior chief Arnold Maina said that some quarry owners have employed underage children to work for them, which has forced tens of children to drop out of school in the recent past.
Speaking Friday morning when he held a meeting with quarry owners at the Kiamaina his office Maina said that he will not allow a few selfish individuals to violate the rights of children who should be in school.
“The quarry business is booming in this area but I want to put on notice those of you who have employed children to work in the mines. You should stop it or I will shut down your quarries,” said the chief.
He noted that he will be forced to recommend the closure of any quarry which will be found to be employing children.
“You cannot deny a child his right to be in school by paying him some little money while your own children are in school. If they come asking for a job at your quarry you need to chase them and if they insist report them to me,” said Maina.
At the same time he warned parents who sent their children to work in quarries that action will be taken against them.