Child neglect on the rise, warns official

An alarming 1,482 children have been neglected due to incidents of domestic violence in Kericho County, a children's official has said.

County Children's Department Co-ordinator Jane Rono noted that in the last one year, an additional 272 children had suffered emotionally and psychologically due to custodial battles between spouses.

"The number is very high and the major cause of child neglect is marital fights.

"Polygamy, whereby the head of the household decides to have a parallel family, is also to blame since most often it limits resources to the first family," she said.

Kericho County Children’s Department coordinator Mrs Jane Rono. She said an alarming 1,482 children have been left neglected due to incidents of domestic violence in Kericho County. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Ms Rono also said although child neglect was a crime under Article 127(1) of the Constitution, police in the county were not eager to pursue and prosecute culprits.

She, nonetheless, added that before a suspect in such a matter could be prosecuted, a counselling desk had to be created in an attempt to understand why the individual had abandoned their parental responsibilities.

"However, if the individual refuses completely to take responsibility, it becomes a criminal case and the law must follow its course.

"The police have to co-operate with the department and the court is supposed to dispense justice well on the matter," said Rono.

She pointed out that though a couple might agree that their differences are irreconcilable, children were innocent in the equation.

She said adults must try to reach an agreement on how to continue taking care of their offspring.