Siaya County scrap metal dealers put on notice for using children

Scrap metal traders in Siaya County have been warned to stop involving school age children in the business or risk arrest and prosecution.

This was after the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Siaya County branch chairperson, Mrs Roseline Omuga, said she has received numerous complaints from members of the public that the traders use children to collect metal.

Mrs Omuga said the practice would not be tolerated, adding that they cannot allow traders to use school age children to make money at the expense of the children’s education.

The chairperson argued that apart from violating the rights of the children through child labor, involving them in such businesses would introduce them to money earlier than advisable thus interfering with their learning.

She noted that the region could lose a generation if the practice is allowed to continue; further urging the relevant agencies to move with sped and contain the situation before it gets out of hand.