Parents neglecting children at the expense of education risk being jailed for 5 years or fined Sh200,000, the Yatta Children's Officer Jane Munyanga has said.
She said the government would now punish parents who neglect their parental responsibility as provided in the Children's Act.
The officer, who was speaking during Area Advisory Council meeting held at Yatta Social Hall on Wednesday said despite efforts by the Children's department to clear street children from the Yatta streets, they have kept on coming back even after some were taken to their parents.
The officer said the police, her office and the Judiciary should work together in the grassroots to be more effective in assisting children whose rights were violated.
She further decried lack of Non- Governmental Organisations to supplement the government efforts in addressing children issues in the area.
Munyanga noted with concern that although the area required intervention measures especially in matters of children, there was only one NGO in the Yatta region and urged others to start programmes in the area.