The National Government has been urged to increase ways of ensuring that the African Child gets a quality education that will enable him or her to have a bright future. While addressing a congregation during the celebration of the Day of an African Child which was held nationally in Cheptais Boys High School in Mt Elgon Sub County Bungoma County, Governor for children in Bungoma County Joseph Kariuki stated that there are always delays in responsible departments when it comes to dealing with cases regarding children.
“I want to note that people responsible for dealing with cases concerning kids are taking too long to administer justice for abused children. This needs to be addressed because you don’t expect a 7-year-old child to keep evidence in mind for 6 months,” he said, “The lack of self-houses for children for protection should be addressed urgently because affected children go back to places where the incident happened instead of being protected.”
Kariuki added that bumps should be put on roads near schools to avoid accidents that lead to premature deaths among school going pupils. He also cited that the government should work out a way that will ensure that health medics’ strikes are solved for once and for all.
Ms, Susan Mochache, Principal Secretary State Department of Social Protection lauded the national and Bungoma County government for the development they have initiated in the region citing road construction that will help in setting a transport network both for children and parents.
She also highlighted free primary education to all primary school children in Kenya by the National government as Kenya’s dream, which is part of 2030 vision.
“Within this County, the government has tried and am seeing roads are being constructed, the County government has set up feeder roads and the national government is constructing Chwele road heading to Cheptais, therefore, all this will support the agenda of better connectivity which will also help mothers and children when they’re faced with emergency cases,” said Mochache.
She urged parents and witnesses to reveal any culprits who will be guilty of defiling children or those who will go against children rights, “The biggest problem we have is that we who are entrusted to care for them aren’t helping them get the justice they deserve after they’ve been abused, or raped,” she said.
She challenged the girl child to prioritize education and do away with boy-girl relationships terming them as a letdown to most children from Mt Elgon where many cases of early pregnancies and early marriages are reported.
“For the girls, I would also tell you that let us respect ourselves take care of ourselves and not expose ourselves to risks and dangers,” she said “It sounds unique. Girls don’t run after the boys there are the ones who should come and look for you, have your pride and dignity as a girl,” she emphasized.
African Child Day is celebrated annually on 16th June in all African Countries since 1991 when it was first initiated by the Organization of African Union in commemoration of about 10,000 black children in 1976 that were shot when they were protesting on poor quality of education and marched more than a half mile demanding a right to be taught in their own language in Soweto Uprising in South Africa.
This year’s theme was dubbed ‘Accelerating protection, empowerment and equal opportunities for children in Africa by 2030’.