Pamoja for Transformation Gender and rights officer Maryam Wambui Kamau conducting a psycho-social support to children in Mtwapa- Kilifi County. (Photo/Maxwell).
Gender and Children’s rights activist in Mtwapa Kilifi County has raised a red flag over child prostitution in the area.
They said that parents were to blame for the increased child prostitution within the tourist attraction town.
Speaking in Mtwapa Kilifi County after conducting gender and children rights forum on Wednesday, Gender and Children’s rights officer from ‘Pamoja For Transformation organization Maryam Wambui Kamau said that parents in the area have failed in protecting their children.
Many cases of children being molested by tourists and other locals in the area were rampant though parents would take back seat since some benefit from the tourist.
She said that some parents engaging in palm wine business were also exposing their children to sex pets by forcing their children to help them in selling Palm wine to clients.
“At Mtomondoni and Mikanjuni areas of Mtwapa in Kilifi County we have seen many cases of children being raped by people they know although their parents are quiet since they are their customers,” said Mrs. Wambui.
According to the Gender and Children rights officer, it was a problem that none of the parents or community wanted to discuss or look for possible solutions as some parents shy away from discussing it.
She appealed to security agent not to allow such behavior from parents within the area and punish those exposing their children to such dangerous life.
On her part, Fauzia Wanjiru, a parent at Mtwapa said that parents in Mtwapa were to blame for the rising in child prostitution in the area since most of them are only interested in tourist money and not the sexual exploitation they do to children.
“How can a parent allow a 10-year-old girl to the beach half naked, how can a responsible parent allow their children to stay with them in ‘Mnazi’ dens instead of leaving them at home?” posed Wanjiru.
Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Mombasa County that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by Joining this group, and have it published.* https://chat.whatsapp.com/5K1mGBnRVB46Mixhdh5caF