Amidst a worrying spike in pregnancies among girls under the age of 18, the judiciary is facing mounting pressure to fast-track child abuse cases. Experts and community leaders warn that the current slow pace of the legal system is allowing perpetrators to walk free while survivors are left to bear the lifelong consequences of abuse without recourse.
The rallying cry for swifter justice highlights a systemic failure where cases often collapse due to witness fatigue, intimidation, or poverty-induced exhaustion.
Dr. Susan Gitau, a renowned counselling psychologist and lecturer at Africa Nazarene University, pointed out that the legal journey is often too gruelling for vulnerable families.
“Many parents struggle to pursue court cases due to poverty and exhaustion,” Dr. Gitau stated. “This forces their children to endure extreme hardship, effectively raising families while they are still minors themselves, lacking the emotional and financial capacity to provide proper care.”
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In informal settlements like the Kiandutu slums, the situation is particularly dire. Dr. Gitau noted that extreme deprivation drives young girls into the arms of predators. These men often exploit girls aged 9 to 17, using basic necessities like food, sanitary towels, or school fees as bait.
“Many perpetrators are men with their own families who take advantage of girls struggling with life’s challenges,” Dr. Gitau revealed. “They are easily deceived in exchange for basics, and the result is a robbed education and a ruined life.”
The psychologist emphasized that the “emergency” nature of child abuse is often ignored by local officials, creating a culture of fear.
“Many parents are afraid to report abuse because these matters are often not treated as emergencies by local officials,” she explained. “Victims are silenced by threats, fearing retaliation if they dare to speak out.”
To break this cycle, Dr. Gitau appealed to a multi-agency task force—including police officers, chiefs, and village elders—to collaborate in apprehending offenders and ensuring they face the full force of the law.
“We need swift rulings. Fast-tracking these sensitive cases is critical to ending such abuse and deterring future offenders from thinking they can target our children with impunity,” Dr. Gitau urged.
Dr. Gitau spoke during the closing ceremony of a two-month mentorship program organized by the Moyo wa Huruma project, an initiative under the Susan Gitau Counselling Foundation. The program, which began two years ago, targets children aged 4 to 17 during school holidays, a period when they are most vulnerable to crime and drug abuse.
The initiative provides more than just guidance; it offers a haven and regular meals, ensuring children are occupied with productive activities.
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Parents have hailed the program as a literal lifesaver. Caroline Njenga, a parent whose child participated in the sessions, described the initiative as transformative for the Kiandutu community.
“Without such efforts, many of our children would fall into crime or substance abuse,” Njenga said. “At this event, we have seen children showcase hidden talents that, if nurtured, could be the key to lifting our families and this entire community out of poverty.”
As the program concluded, the message remained clear: while community mentorship provides a vital shield, true protection for the Kenyan girl-child will only come when the halls of justice move faster than the predators on the streets.
By Felix Wanderi
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