A Machakos Senior Resident Magistrate Pascal Nabwana has warned residents of Mwala Sub-county against resolving child defilement cases at home.
The Wamunyu Law Courts magistrate, speaking yesterday during the launch of the child justice month outside the court, warned that those found doing so will be punished.
Nabwana said a week hardly passes before a case is brought before the court and blamed parents for abetting the crime by failing to report incidents to the police.
“So far I handle 9 or 10 cases of defilement and other child abuse per week in this court,” he lamented, commanding security agencies and chiefs and their assistants to arrest rapists and parents who cover up rape cases.
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He also called for civic education to sensitize people on child abuse and neglect in villages across the sub-county.
He said many cases of child abuse remain unreported as a number of parents choose out -of-court settlements instead of protection children and their rights.
“Children are the future of Kenya and I am asking residents in this sub -county to avoid settling cases of rape and defilement outside of the legal system,” he said. “It’s important to prevent child abuse and neglect through public education and awareness campaigns. We must educate parents and guardians about children’s rights to help them steer clear of abusive situations.”
By Gastone Valusi
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