Teso South District Commissioner Denis Omosa has directed the district Area Advisory Council to urgently convene a meeting and review all Charitable Children Institutions (CCI).

The directive follows tussle between the government and an orphanage in the district which has taken the government to court following a closure notice issued in April for non compliance with CCI regulations.

The DC revealed that all children homes not adhering to the CCIs regulations and the children Act 2001 should be permanently closed down as most owners are using the institutions to enrich themselves.

“Most people are establishing children homes for financial gains. The government will not allow anybody to exploit the suffering of innocent children to acquire wealth from donors. Some of the institutions have been receiving funding but the money is diverted to personal ventures while the children continue suffering,” explained Omosa.

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The DC has hence vowed to close down the orphanage whose registration certificate expired in March 2011 despite the matter being in court.

“With or without the court the home has to be shut down. We cannot hold a court session in Bungoma while innocent children are suffering here in Teso. It will be fair for the court session to be held at the institution’s grounds,” stated the DC.

He said the 37 children in a condemned orphanage will be transferred to other orphanages in Busia County which are already willing to absorb them.