Planet Earth

Recently, in our home area a child was being abused by his father. He burned his child by dripping melted plastic material all over his body. His father claimed that his child had taken his thirty shillings and went to buy sweets and snacks.

 The neighbours who live near this man’s house reported the matter to the police and he was arrested, but within two weeks he was released from the jail.

This hurt me so much that I wished I had powers to punish this man. This means that the government did not take this seriously enough. If the government continues like this, it means that many children will continue being abused and their rights will be violated.

It is the work of the government to take responsibility for those children whose rights are being violated and take action for those parents who abuse their children’s rights.

Today in Naivasha, many cases of child abuse have been reported, but the government is not taking any action. A child was tortured by her mother and also many young girls have been raped and some have died.

 These examples show why the Act of 2001 enumerates the rights of children and requires everyone to observe them.

Children should not be discriminated against for their colour, birth, religion or economic and political status. Every child has a right to life, education, health and medical care, protection from torture, protection from child labour, privacy and parental guidance.

Photo By martin Ndung'u

 Those who abuse their children and torture them like the man who burned his child should face justice and punishment.