Members of Parliament Parliamentary Committee have raised concern over the increasing number of underage children being hired as herders in parts of Kilifi County.
The National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities expressed concern during a recent peace meeting, following revelations that prominent farmers in Magarini and Malindiconstituencies were employing children as herders, depriving them of education.
The Committee Chairperson Adan Yussuf Haji urged security agencies to take action against individuals who undermine children’s future by hiring them for cheap labor.
“Police and administrators must act swiftly and hold accountable those who exploit underage children as herders, thereby destroying their lives; the days when children were used to graze livestock are long gone. Anyone denying children their right to education should face the full force of the law,” said the Mandera West MP.
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Haji made the remarks during a community dialogue meeting organized by the Committee in partnership with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
The meeting was aimed at fostering peace between warring herders and farmers in Magarini Constituency.
The meeting also sought long-term solutions to ongoing conflicts between the two groups, which have led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
Former member of county assembly Renson Karisa, lamented the destruction of food crops caused by herders who reportedly drive hundreds of cattle, camels, and goats onto their farms with impunity.
He revealed that that most of the herders are children aged between 12 and 15 years.
Karisa claimed that powerful government officials who own the destructive livestock intimidate residents who attempt to raise complaints.
He alleged that farmers have been attacked, some fatally, during confrontations with herders trespassing on their land.
Lamu County MP Monica Marubu condemned the use of children as herders and called for urgent intervention, he called on security agencies to address the issue.
By Obegi Malack
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