Judiciary Identifies Hot Spot For Child Abuse In Naivasha
The informal settlements in and around Naivasha have been highlighted by the judiciary as the focal point for the increasing number of child abuse cases in the lakeside town.
The villages that unintentionally house hundreds of laborers from flower farms were identified as the main locations for child defilement, abandonment, violence, and abuse.
This occurred after it was determined that the primary issues facing juveniles accused of various offenses in court were a severe dearth of magistrates and a lack of Child Protection Units (CPU) at the Naivasha police station.
This was revealed at the Naivasha Law Courts’ Children Service Month kickoff, where cases affecting minors were given priority in November.
Judiciary Identifies Hot Spot For Child Abuse In Naivasha
Presiding Judge Grace Nzioka of the Court reported that the institution was handling about 150 criminal cases, with an increase in cases over the previous year.
She called the figure concerning and stated that the judiciary was eager to collaborate with interested parties in order to lower the backlog of cases.
Speaking at the service month’s opening, the judge pointed out that inadequate investigations and witnesses’ lack of attendance in court were endangering the cases.
“There are 143 criminal cases involving minors at the Naivasha Law Courts, and the lack of a child protection unit has made the situation worse,” the speaker stated.
Judiciary Identifies Hot Spot For Child Abuse In Naivasha
According to Nzioka, peer pressure, social media, and society all have a role in the rise in juvenile criminal cases.
“It’s our duty to shield these kids from the culture that doesn’t have enough space for them, which is why there are more and more abuse reports,” she stated.
Juliana Ndeng’eri, the principal magistrate for Naivasha, stated that sexual abuse was the most common criminal case involving minors and that the number of cases was increasing.
As a transit town, Naivasha has contributed to child trafficking instances, she said, with some victims being transported from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“There has been an increase in child abuse cases, and some estates like Kihot, KCC, Karagita, Mithuri, and Ngondi are leading the way,” the speaker stated.
Ndeng’eri called on relatives with pending cases to appear in court. She stated that there were 143 criminal cases involving minors at Naivasha Law Courts.
“We are requesting well-wishers to help us finish the child protection unit in Naivasha so that we can expedite the administration of justice, particularly during the holidays for the minors,” she stated.
Judiciary Identifies Hot Spot For Child Abuse In Naivasha
