The siren: Mr Senator, men must pay for child support to tame deadbeat plague

The Murang'a Senator is proposing an amendment to the Children's Act (Photo: Shutterstock)

Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata has come up with what he considers a solution to the problem of deadbeat fathers, who intentionally fail to pay child support. He is proposing an amendment to the Children’s Act, to mete harsh penalties against errant fathers who default on child support payments.

When I looked at the senators’ proposals, I was not sure whether to laugh at his naivety or cry at his out-of-touch stance on matters that really affect Kenyan women and children. I found it amusing that he imagines a policy change will affect the way men behave.