THE STARK REALITY

In June 12, yearly we observe World Day Against Child Labour a day to expose the harsh injustice of child labour amplify the voices of affected children and renew our collective pledge: no child should ever be forced into work that robs them of their childhood. Let children remain children.

In our nation especially in rural areas, the problem is deeply rooted; whereby many of children remain in child labour and in hazardous work. According to statistics done by The Kenya Bureau of Statistics(KNBS) shows that 8.5% of children or 1.3million children are engaged in child labour whereby the highest labor rates at more than 30%, are in Arid and semi-arid counties like; Samburu, Kajiado and Turkana in the lead and also in places like;Kakuzi location, Murang’a county and Kibera slum, Nairobi county, on farms, informal markets, even in construction sites facing long hours, risk,  without schooling that threatens health and future prospects.

Stakeholders in the child protection sector have called for concerted efforts in the fight against child labor.Speaking during a Child protection stakeholder’s forum in Namanga, Banya noted that, “The most common cases of child labor in Kenya include: domestic work, street hawking, sand harvesting, herding, sexual exploitation, farm work, and children working in the bodaboda sector.”

Child labour is a gross violation of human rights, it deprives children of education, safe environments, and dignified development. It also locks nations into intergenerational poverty and stunts social progress. Therefore, local governments, educators, and NGOs must hold employers to account, strengthen monitoring in rural areas like farms and quarries and ensure rescued children re‑enter and complete schools.

By   reinforcing education access, we break the cycle through actionable follow through ensuring every child rescued truly stays in school, strengthen social protection programs so families never feel forced to send their children to work, community members to speak up when exploitation is spotted and the governments to   renew commitment, invest in education, enforce compliance, today and beyond to erase the cases of child labour.

We should use this day to talk about the issue with policymakers, educators, local leaders, and online platforms like facebook, X and instagram and also donators or volunteers with reputable NGOs supporting rescue, rehabilitation, and schooling efforts.  Learn whether products you buy that is; agricultural produce, clothes, spices might involve child labour and choose ethical and stronger laws to creat awareness. However, we need investment in education and family welfare to end this act.

Every child deserves the joy of learning, the freedom to play, and the protection of childhood. Let us reaffirm our commitment not just in speeches, but in systemic change marked by actions and condemn child labour in all forms. We need to pledge accountability and commitment for it, today and every day, to end it. Let’s speed up progress for every child, everywhere starting now. Therefore children should have pens in their hands not tools.

End..

BY: ENOCK NYAMWEYA.

John

The author is an experienced radio journalist and media manager.