- Ongeri called for concerted efforts from the church and other stakeholders to save the children from the perpetrators of sexual offences
- He said this will curb the high number of teenage pregnancies, improve their self-esteem and secure their future
Image: FILE
Oyugis Senior Principal Magistrate Samson Ongeri has urged Home Bay residents to take child abuse seriously.
Ongeri said it is unfortunate the cases continue to rise despite the court's stern action.
“Despite the stringent measures and sentences we continue to receive many cases,” he said.
Ongeri called for concerted efforts from the church and other stakeholders to save the children from the perpetrators of sexual offences.
He said this will curb the high number of teenage pregnancies, improve their self-esteem and secure their future.
The magistrate asked parents and caregivers to take care of the children and report the perpetrators. This will help the judiciary deliver justice.
Ongeri said some parents hide children during court proceedings, hampering justice.
He spoke on Friday during the judiciary open day and tree planting event held at Atela Secondary School in Rachuonyo East subcounty.
Chabera trading centre in the subcounty is considered a hot spot for child abuse.
“The reason we are here is to educate the community on the need to shun sexual violence. We stand on this ground to urge the residents to let children be children,” Ongeri said.
The magistrate also noted the rising cases of children for various crimes and urged parents counsel their children.
Rachuonyo East subcounty deputy commissioner Job Kemey warned against using kangaroo courts to deal with cases of child abuse and gender based violence.
“It doesn't matter if it is the chief who is the culprit, he should also face the law. Child abuse has far reaching consequences. The trauma the child goes through will not end regardless of the amount of counseling. So let’s be careful,” he said
Judiciary open day was to sensitise residents on gender based violence and land succession matters
Kemey also urged parents to prepare wills to avert land conflicts when they die.
He said they are currently handling about five cases involving land and all the cases are from one or two families.
However, in case there is no written will, Ongeri urged parties to meet as a family and go to court and seek succession proceedings.
“But before you file the proceedings, sit as a family and agree on how the succession is going to be done and the court will distribute the land accordingly,” Kemey said.
During the event, 1,000 tree seedlings donated by the Lake Basin Development Authority were planted in Atela Mixed Secondary and Atela Primary School.
The event was attended by officials from FIDA, Child Fund, Kenha, LSK, ODPP, KenGen and Supkem.