This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
June 19, 2020
Kenya's government has launched an investigation into the rising cases of teenage pregnancies and child abuse in the country.
The move comes after a sudden surge in reported cases of teenage pregnancies following the closure of schools to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui announced the formation of a multi-agency team to investigate the cases and bring perpetrators to justice.
The team will also investigate cases of online child abuse, where teachers offering online classes have been accused of exposing children to illicit content.
Chelugui stated that the government is working closely with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to arrest those responsible for the abuse.
He added that the government is concerned about the rising number of child abuse and molestation cases and will invoke the Children's Act and other existing laws to punish perpetrators.
Chelugui also spoke about the government's efforts to cushion Kenyans against the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He highlighted the training and re-skilling of workers to equip them with necessary skills to secure jobs within the country and abroad.
The program, being carried out by the National Industrial Training Institute (NITA), aims to assist Kenyans who are jobless and thousands who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kenya produces 1.2 million graduates every year, but only 800,000 are absorbed in the job market locally, Chelugui noted.
He added that through this program, the remaining 400,000 graduates shall be supported to secure jobs abroad.
Kenya has entered into bilateral agreements with Middle East countries, where over 30,000 Kenyans are working, to ensure their safety.
Chelugui stated that he has had meetings with five ambassadors from the gulf region and plans to cement the relationship after the coronavirus pandemic.
He also disclosed that four million Kenyans are working abroad and the re-skilling program shall see more Kenyans secure opportunities outside the country.
On Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Chelugui stated that the ministry has set up a committee to establish the number of workers affected due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Over 300,000 SMEs have written to the ministry to notify on the intended laying off of workers, he added.
Chelugui stated that the ministry is engaging SMEs to see how best they can retain the workers and is currently processing the data to benefit the affected workers from the COVID-19 relief fund.
