A former legislator has asked the government to apprehend and prosecute people suspected to use underage children as their house helps, in a bid to rescue young girls who are said to be venturing into the business.
Speaking at Mokomoni during a burial ceremony, the former North Mugirango MP Winfred Ombui said the cases were rampant in small townships in Nyamira and it targeted children who are then forced to drop out of school.
He said a decisive action should be taken to combat the crime besides bringing the cartels behind the business into book.
“I have received cases of young children being lured into house help jobs by some people. Some of these children are forced to drop out of school by some cartels in promise of a better pay. This vice is in our small townships and some have been even taken to urban centers,” he said.
“This is clearly child labor and an action should be taken against those behind the crime. I understand that a child cannot make a decision without being influenced by somebody,” he added.
He urged locals to be vigilant and report such cases to authorities besides calling for thorough check by the police in area townships to rescue those who have already been absorbed.
“This is a worrying issue and it requires concerted efforts for us to curb it. Please ensure you report to the police if you can across such a business. The police should also move to our small towns and do a checkup because I believe they will rescue most of the children,” he added.