Parents from Machakos have been told to be vigilant with their children especially during school holidays to deter them from engaging in illicit activities such as drugs and substance abuse.
The call was made by senior chief Joshua Kimeu who said parents should make sure their children do not idle in markets and shopping centres.
Kimeu who spoke to this writer in Machakos town on Wednesday said idleness and bad company expose innocent children more so youths to smoking cigarettes, bhang and drinking cheap illicit liquor.
He said majority of youths throng betting joints in the area and most have been introduced to drinking cheap liquor, which according to him might affect their education in the future.
"It is very wrong for the parents of such children to let them wander around markets aimlessly all day, they will obviously fall prey to bad company," Kimeu said.
Kimeu said though it is their responsibility to ensure peace and order, it is difficult for them to control the already licensed betting centres.
He said most under age children and youths from Machakos participate in betting noting that this might tempt the young boys and girls to steal so as to satisfy their urge for betting.
"The moment we net these boys and take them to court, they will meet hardcore criminals who will even introduce them to hardcore crime which is not good for our future generations," Kimeu said.
Kimeu pleaded with parents from his location to ensure they tame their children by ensuring they give them chores which are supervised throughout the day to keep them occupied at home.