Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia has urged parents to protect their children from gender-based violence (GBV) and other forms of abuse during the long school holiday.
Lotiatia cautioned parents against leaving their children under the care of relatives and neighbours without proper supervision, warning that some children end up being sexually abused or exposed to harmful behaviours.
He challenged parents to take personal responsibility for raising their children by guiding, counselling and instilling moral values in them.
“Some parents do not care about the behaviour of their children. Some children leave their homes very early in the morning and return late at night, yet their parents do not question them,” he said.
The county commissioner urged parents to spend quality time with their children to build trust and create an environment in which minors can freely share the challenges they face.
He emphasised the need for parents and guardians to remain vigilant and ensure children are safe from abuse and exploitation throughout the holiday.
At the same time, Lotiatia called on non-governmental organisations operating in the county to collaborate with the police and other relevant authorities to protect children from harmful cultural practices, including female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriages.
Lotiatia, who spoke at his office in Narok, further warned parents who intend to subject their children to illegal practices that they risk arrest and prosecution.
“All children should be protected from all forms of harm. No child should feel disadvantaged compared to another because of being forced into illegal practices,” he added.
Recently, Anti-FGM Board Chairperson Ipato Surum revealed that the prevalence of FGM in Narok County stands at 51 per cent, significantly higher than the national average of 15 per cent.
Surum called on government institutions, religious leaders and councils of elders to work together to eliminate the practice and protect girls from its harmful effects.
Surum noted that although FGM was previously conducted openly in some communities, those still practising it have increasingly resorted to secretive methods and locations to evade arrest by authorities.
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