Judiciary alarmed over increase of sexual exploration and trafficking of children

Oct 31, 2023 - 23:27

Naivasha Principal Magistrate Juliana Ndeng'ere address journalist on the launch of Children Service Month of November which will be used to expedite cases involving children. The Magistrate raised concerns over increased cases of sexual abuse and trafficking of children for purposes of sex exploitation. (Photo by Erastus Gichohi).

Naivasha,

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

KNA by Erastus Gichohi

The Judiciary has raised an alarm over rising cases of sexual abuse and trafficking of children from neighboring countries for sexual exploitation in Naivasha and Gilgil Sub Counties.

According to the Naivasha Principal Magistrate Juliana Ndeng'ere and head of the children’s court, cases involving sexual abuse of minors are on the rise with a section of cases involving trafficked children for purposes of sexual exploration.

Ndeng'ere flagged the Mai Mahiu area as a key hotspot of trafficked children for sex work and illegal businesses due to its transit nature with cases involving minors from as far as Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania reported.

“The judiciary has earmarked the month of November to create awareness on children-related issues and expedite both criminal and civil cases to deliver prompt justice to minors,” said Ndeng'ere.

Ndeng'ere at the same decried the lack of a public child protection unit to house abused minors and those with conflict with the law noting that the courts have been referring children to the Nakuru facility while calling on partners to fund the completion of such a unit to enhance delivery of justice.

On his part, Naivasha Children’s Officer John Chege said his office has in this year recorded over 800 cases of child neglect, 200 cases involving custody and abandoned children and assault cases of sexual assault and abuse.

Chege flagged population-dense informal settlements including Karagita, Mithuri, MaiMahiu and Kihoto as key hotspots of child abuse and sexual exploitation.

Key players in the child-rights protection have attributed drug and substance abuse, outdated cultural practices and domestic violence as major contributors to the rise in these cases.

Naivasha Gender Based Violence cluster groups coordinator John Kinuthia attributed rise in drug abuse, outdated cultures such as child marriages and Female Genital Mutilation as factors that continue to slow child rights in the country.

Kinuthia lauded the judiciary for setting aside the service month to create more awareness on child rights and pathways of lodging complaints noting that the move will ensure culprits face the full force of the law.

Courtesy; KNA