Parents in Bomet have been urged to remain close to their children during the long end-of-year holiday to prevent them from falling into vices.
Acting County Commissioner Reuben Ratemo warned that the holiday poses challenges for school-going children who suddenly find themselves with plenty of free time and no structured routine.
Ratemo noted that the holiday will last for more than two months, a period during which millions of children will be roaming freely in estates and villages.
Without proper guidance, he said, many risk falling prey to bad company and engaging in activities that could jeopardize their future.
Speaking in Bomet Central sub-county, the administrator urged parents to take full responsibility for their children’s welfare instead of delegating that role to relatives.
“This is not the time to send the children to stay with their aunties and uncles or grandparents who also have their own challenges to address. Parents should stay with their children and guide them accordingly,” he said.
Ratemo emphasized the need for parents to use the holiday to understand their children better and offer them the necessary psycho-social support — something teachers take up for much of the year.
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“Unfortunately, some parents do not want to stay with their children and have relinquished their parental responsibility to teachers, so they are now worried that the children are flocking back home,” he said.
“On the contrary, parents should be happy and even take leave from their daily activities to take care of their children.”
He warned that the current social environment, which he described as ‘laden with moral decadence’ exposes unsupervised children to risks such as teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and drug abuse.
Ratemo further called on churches to intensify youth-focused religious activities during the holiday as a way of keeping children engaged while instilling values and responsible behavior.
He also directed national government administrative officers, including chiefs, to collaborate with community leaders and residents to ensure the safety and well-being of children throughout the break.
By Kimutai Langat
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