A member of the Nakuru County Assembly has lamented over the high rate of child labour in parts of Nakuru County, arguing that poverty drives some parents and guardians to subject minors to child labour.
According to Dundori MCA, Stephen Kihara, many school going children in the area fail to perform well in school because they are mostly involved in labour activities as their parents and guardians are unable to hire people to work for them.
The MCA, who was addressing residents of the Ward at Dundori Baptist Church during a funds drive in aid of the church on Saturday, said the county assembly will soon pass a bill that will criminalize child labour activities in the county to protect children rights and promote good academic performances.
He told the residents to adhere to child protection and labour laws and avoid using their underage children and dependence to meet farm and home bound labour commitments.
“Some of us are adamantly subjecting our school going children to early labour activities yet it is illegal to do so. This has however continuously affected the performances of the children in school and it must stop before the law catches up,” said the MCA.
He observed that most school going children are forced to work in farms and in homes to assist their parents in income generating activities, while compromising their school activities.
He noted that some parents do not give their school going children time to study after school, while some make them work and miss to go to school at times.