The decision by the government to close children’s homes has drawn mixed reactions, with stakeholders in Narok and Kajiado counties faulting the decision.
The stakeholders termed the decision as ill-advised, stating that the homes play a critical role in ensuring the safety of girls.
Led by Mary Naisoi, they stated the homes shelter hundreds of girls who fled Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and teen marriages and closing the centres would expose them to the risks they fled.
“Rescue centres play a crucial role in safeguarding our girls. As stakeholders, we are opposed to closure of these centres and ask the government to rescind the decision,” she noted.
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Speaking in Kedong, they stated that although sometimes reconciliation takes place between the girls and their parents, the former are mostly subjected to the practices upon returning home.
“Many times reconciliation take place between girls and their parents. This is a good move but sometimes these girls are subjected to FGM and teen marriages. This is unacceptable and a lasting solution should urgently be sought,” added Naisoi.
Silvia Korere on her part raised the red flag over the sidelining of the boy child, a trend they want stopped blaming it for pushing the boy child to excessive drinking, substance abuse and boda boda business.
“We are worried by the sidelining of the boy child. This has pushed them to excessive drinking, substance abuse and boda boda business and we need to tackle this problem urgently,” stated Korere.
Last year, the government announced plans to abolish all privately owned children’s homes and orphanages within eight years, as a way of tackling child trafficking.
By Kimutai Langat
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