Reachout Centre Trust executive director Taib Abdulrahman during a public forum in Mvita. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala]
Parents in the Coast region have been urged to monitor their children’s whereabouts during this holiday season to prevent them from engaging in criminal and other dangerous activities.Reachout Centre Trust Executive Director Taib Abdulrahman said young boys and girls might be lured to engage in drug abuse and irresponsible sexual behaviours.Speaking during a community forum to discuss the impact of drug abuse in the community at Old town area within Mvita constituency, Abdulrahman said most adolescents feel they should be left alone to enjoy their holiday, a move he said was very dangerous.He noted that child protection lies squarely with the parents, adding that if parents fail in their parenting responsibility, they risk destroying their children’s lives.“At times I am dumbfounded when I see children begging on the street at 11pm. How can you even attempt to expose your children to such a risky life?” asked Abdulrahman.He hit out at parents for failing to take care of their children and lead them in the right direction.“I will be very right in saying that most of the challenges facing our youth especially in Mombasa are as a result of parental negligence,” he added.Abdulrahman urged parents to be their children's’ keeper and role models and always spend time with their children.He cautioned parents against leaving their parenting roles to teachers and housemaids.The anti-drug abuse activist said Reach Out Centre Trust, Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and other human and gender rights defenders at the Coast will come up with strategies to protect children from dangerous exposures.