Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has raised concern over the high prevalence of child labour in Mau Narok, Njoro Sub-County, warning that the practice is depriving children of their right to education and a proper childhood.
Kihika said many children in the area were working on large farms instead of attending school and pursuing their academic goals, limiting their chances of contributing meaningfully to their communities in the future.
Speaking in Mau Narok during the launch of the second tranche of county bursaries worth KSh162 million, the governor described child labour as an illegal practice that must be addressed.
The governor warned that employing children in such circumstances not only interferes with their education but also denies them the opportunity to experience a normal childhood.
Her remarks placed renewed focus on the challenges facing children in farming communities, where work can interfere with school attendance and expose young people to conditions that may affect their development.
Kihika also expressed concern over the reported rise in illicit alcohol consumption in the area, saying the problem was affecting productivity and taking a toll on the wider community.
She called on security agencies to strengthen the crackdown on illegal brews, urging officers to work closely with local residents to address the problem.
The governor said community cooperation would be important in identifying those involved in the illegal alcohol trade and supporting efforts to curb its spread.
On education funding, Kihika said the county had increased its bursary allocation from the KSh110 million available at the beginning of her term to about KSh400 million.
She said the additional funding was part of efforts to help more learners access education by easing the financial burden on families struggling to meet school costs.
The KSh162 million allocation announced in Mau Narok forms part of the county’s bursary programme, which is intended to support learners who might otherwise face difficulties continuing their studies.
Kihika added that her administration would continue investing in education, including expanding Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learning and improving the infrastructure needed to support young learners.
The governor’s concerns over child labour come as she calls for stronger protection of children’s rights alongside greater access to education.
Her administration is also seeking to address challenges linked to illicit brews, which she said were affecting livelihoods and productivity in Mau Narok.
