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By Isabella Maua
A cadre of chiefs, assistant chiefs, village elders, and managers on Tuesday held an intense meeting to plot new ways to curb the rising cases of young girls being sold by older women in illicit liquor dens within Bungoma County.
In a closed-door meeting facilitated by Kenya Red Cross Bungoma with support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, the chiefs bewailed the secret selling of girls, especially in areas along the border of Kenya and Uganda in Cheptais.
The most affected areas are the porous villages, which not only facilitate the fleeing of circumcised girls but also the cross-transaction of whoredom, which is done very covertly.
Fred Makokha,Director of Gender under the State Department in Bungoma County, admonished the activity, cautioning chiefs and village elders of the affected areas of conspiracy if such cases are found in their areas of jurisdiction.
“We condemn in all possible terms the evil act of older women introducing and engaging young girls into prostitution, whether the victims are their own children or not,” warned Makokha. CT
Peter Liaulo, Assistant County Commissioner 1, Cheptais, also observed that many parents can barely decipher child work and child labour, hence promoting violence amongst children who subsequently indulge in transgression.
“Overworking children results in distressing them and making them vulnerable to many evils in society; let’s stop making children sell groundnuts in bars at night, milk, or roasted maize along the roads in the evening,” forewarned Liaulo.
The chiefs, though in low tones, agreed that such heinous acts prevail in their regions but decried lack of information from the locals, who choose to stay mum over the issues and only blame the administration when things get out of hand.
“We shall do our best henceforth to ensure we reach all corners and seal any loopholes that necessitate these cults that are cropping up; it’s an oath we shall heed,” vowed Cleophas Osikata, Sirikani Village Elder.
His sentiments were abetted by Jackson Komon, Chief Sasur area, who reported notorious misconduct among parents, especially mothers who have recently adopted a new drug to entice girls to have the urge to get circumcised.
“Funeral night dances popularly known as disco matangas and brewing of illicit brews have been key factors leading to misconduct among our children; however, we have a daunting task, especially in dealing with families along forest boundaries, but from our resolution today, the tables will turn,” reiterated Komon.
Also present was Deputy OCPD Kimilili, Evans Nyakundi, who challenged the administrators to be vigilant and vocal in condemning any crimes of violence and defilement cases.
“Whenever you see, hear, or suspect something, speak up and report the matter to the police so that necessary legal action may be taken; otherwise, you’ll be liable for conspiracy or the commission of a felony,” advised Nyakundi.
The meeting was graced by around 50 administrative officers across Sasur, Cheptais, Chepkube, and Chesikaki.
