Kirinyaga County has recorded 174 cases of child abuse, raising concerns over the safety and protection of children amid calls for stronger community efforts to address the growing problem.
County Commissioner Shufaa Omar Mwijuma raised the alarm over the reported cases, urging parents, community leaders and security agencies to work together to protect children from abuse and exploitation.
Speaking during a Rapid Results Initiative meeting in Mjini, Kutus, Mwijuma said records from the Department of Children Services showed that 174 children had been defiled or subjected to other forms of abuse.
She expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding some of the incidents, pointing to parental negligence and inadequate supervision as factors that could expose children to abuse.
The commissioner urged parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for their children’s safety by closely monitoring their movements, friendships and daily activities.
She also encouraged families to create safe and supportive environments where children can freely communicate their concerns and report any form of mistreatment without fear.
Mwijuma further revealed that teenage pregnancies in Kirinyaga County stood at 15 per cent, describing the statistics as worrying and calling for urgent intervention to protect young people.
She linked some of the challenges facing children and teenagers to unstable family environments, persistent domestic conflicts and a lack of emotional support.
According to the commissioner, strengthening family relationships and improving parental involvement would play an important role in addressing the social challenges affecting children and adolescents.
She also called on security agencies to intensify investigations into reported child abuse cases and ensure that those found responsible face the full force of the law.
Kirinyaga County Police Commander Anderson Njagi echoed the call for greater community involvement, urging residents to strengthen community policing initiatives and Nyumba Kumi structures.
Njagi said cooperation between members of the public and security agencies was essential in identifying suspicious activities, preventing crime and ensuring that vulnerable members of society were protected.
He encouraged residents to promptly report suspected cases of child abuse and other criminal activities to the relevant authorities rather than remaining silent.
The revelations highlight the continued challenges surrounding child protection in Kirinyaga County, particularly as authorities seek to address sexual abuse, teenage pregnancies and other forms of violence affecting minors.
Residents have been urged to work closely with local administrators, community leaders and law enforcement officers to ensure that children grow up in safe environments free from exploitation and abuse.
Authorities have also emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in protecting children’s rights and holding perpetrators of abuse accountable.
