This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
Children's Lives Disrupted by Covid-19 Lockdown ¶
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect families in Kenya, children are being pushed into various vices, disrupting their lives and exposing them to danger.
According to Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, children should be learning online, but many are instead engaging in immorality and other vices.
One such incident occurred in Kisii County, where school heads are under pressure from parents following the discovery that some children have turned their classrooms into sex dens.
Mr Dominic Magori, a parent in Nyamemiso village, Kegati Location, Nyaribari Chache, said he was shocked to find two youngsters, aged between 14 and 16, having sex in a classroom.
He also found wrappings of used condoms scattered on the floors of two classrooms.
Across Nyanza, Western, and South Rift regions, the effects of Covid-19 on families have seen parents push their children into mining, hawking, fishing, and boda boda businesses.
Children are flocking to goldmines to join their parents in crushing rocks from the underground shafts.
Efforts are being made to sensitise parents to avoid involving children in mining activities.
However, the situation is dire, with children being exposed to Covid-19 and sexual abuse while hawking.
Children are also being engaged as tea pickers in small and large-scale farms, with some schoolgirls being sexually exploited.
As a result of the closure of schools, children are engaged in all manner of things, making it difficult for parents to monitor them.
Furthermore, children are being pushed into fishing expeditions in Lake Victoria, where they are exposed to the risk of drowning and other hazards.
According to the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Bomet County executive secretary, Mr Paul Kimetto, the situation is a result of the prolonged lockdown.
He said, 'As a result of closure of schools, children are engaged in all manner of things and it is difficult for parents to monitor them.'
Published on July 15, 2020 by Nation.co.ke.
