Parents who neglect their children face one-year jail term

Nakuru County Government has issued a stern warning to parents who neglect their children saying they will be fined Ksh.50,000 or jailed for one year.

A county official criticised the large number of children who pose as beggars in the central business district.

Ms. Halima Gababa, Youth and Gender minister at the county said they are implementing the Children’s Act which states that parents are obliged to educate their kids.

“Parents need to take their responsibility seriously. It is not right to leave your child on the street expecting the government to take care of them,” said Ms Gababa.

She was speaking during a visit to the International Children’s Mission, a Christian children’s home in Njoro that houses 10 street boys recently rescued.

“The government will only provide facilities where the child can get education and security but it cannot take the place of a parent,” Ms. Gababa added.

The 10 who are to be rehabilitated are part of 81 street kids who were rounded up in Nakuru Town in February and placed in various children homes.

According to the director of the home, children take to the streets because of problems at home such as domestic violence, abuse and neglect.

Mr. Michael Nieswand said the growing number of street children poses a danger to the community because the kids resort to theft to fend for themselves and even join criminal gangs when they are older.

Mauche MCA Philip Rotich said it was disheartening to learn that most of the children fled their homes because of abuse or neglect. He reiterated that parents would face stiff penalties if found guilty of any of the two crimes.