This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
Kenya: Chiefs Ordered to Arrest Parents Facilitating Early Marriages ¶
On June 22, 2020, Kenya's Education Chief Administrative Secretary Mumina Bonaya ordered chiefs to be on the lookout for and arrest parents facilitating marriages of their school-going daughters who are at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ms. Bonaya emphasized that girls are at a high risk of being impregnated and forced into early marriages, and parents must take their responsibilities seriously to ensure their daughters are safe at all times.
She also warned that legal action will be taken against parents exploiting their children by giving them excessive chores or allowing them to seek casual jobs elsewhere.
"We acknowledge the risk that learners across the country are exposed to, especially the girls, and there is a need for parents to protect them and ensure they are safe while at home," Ms. Bonaya said.
Ms. Bonaya urged parents to assume the teachers' role and ensure that children continue learning while at home and are engaged at all times to prevent them from being lured into drug and substance abuse.
She also warned chiefs against abetting the vice, noting that they will be held responsible if any girl from their areas fails to report to school on reopening.
Ms. Bonaya reiterated the government's commitment towards ensuring an enabling environment ahead of the reopening of schools, including ensuring all schools have enough running water for hand washing, face masks for the learners, and reasonable spacing for social distancing purposes.
