- Seventh-day Adventist pastor Joash Kembero has urged parents to thoroughly vet domestic workers before leaving children in their care.
- He condemned the rising cases of child abuse, including kidnapping, defilement and murder, in Kisii and neighbouring counties.
- The pastor called on churches, schools, communities and security agencies to work together to protect children.
Pastor Joash Kembero of the Seventh-day Adventist Church at Endereti in Kenyenya Sub-county has cautioned parents against leaving their children in the care of domestic workers they do not know well.
He was reacting to the recent rise in cases of child abuse in the region, including kidnapping, defilement and murder.
The pastor cited the recent incident in Bonchari Constituency in which two siblings were murdered, describing the killings as heinous.
He also noted that other reported cases in Kisii and neighbouring counties have involved minors being lured, sexually assaulted and, in some instances, killed after being abused.
“This must come to an end and we condemn it in the strongest terms possible,” he said.
Parents urged to remain vigilant
Pastor Kembero said the Constitution of Kenya, under Article 53, guarantees every child the right to protection from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices and all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment.
He noted that the Constitution also places the best interests of the child as the primary consideration in all matters affecting children.
The pastor urged parents to take greater responsibility in monitoring those who interact with their children and to thoroughly vet domestic workers before entrusting them with childcare responsibilities.
He called on fellow pastors to condemn child abuse during the forthcoming Seventh-day Adventist annual camp meetings scheduled for August across the region.
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Pastor Kembero also appealed to community members, church leaders, schools and security agencies to work together to protect children, report suspicious activities promptly and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
By Enock Okong’o
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