A Machakos based Non-Governmental Organization has called for stringent punitive measures against defilement culprits.
Doors of Hope programs manager, Jacqueline Shibalira, said anyone found guilty of the offense should face the wrath of the law in a bid to reduce rates of defilement cases in Machakos County.
Shibalira spoke to this writer on the phone on Friday.
She said lenient measures accorded defilement culprits have contributed to the increase of such heinous acts.Shibalira said those found guilty of defilement should be denied bond or bail to avoid interfering with investigations.
She said such 'criminals' continue committing more related crime when set free as they mingle with other members of the community.
"Children are defiled by people well known to them. Be it, shamba boys, uncles, step fathers or neighbours. Once these people aren't properly prosecuted, they go back to their behaviours. Once a defiler always a defiler, stiffer penalties are needed," Shibalira said.Shibalira urged parents to avoid being so much engrossed in their jobs and instead play their parental roles of taking care of their children. "Child abuse and negligence has increased in Kenya. Parents are too busy looking for money to sustain their families, majority have no time for the children. Most of the children are left alone in hands of house helps and shamba boys," Shibalira said.She urged schools to help in creating awareness by educating children on the importance of 'not keeping quiet' whenever they fall victims of defilement. Shibalira told children to be wary of probable perpetrators.