Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has warned schools that require students to report at odd hours.
Speaking in Kisii County on Friday September 12, Murkomen expressed concern that travelling early in the morning puts children at a higher risk of defilement.
"In some instances, children are being defiled on their way to school. Some schools require children to be in school by 6am and you find them leaving their homes around 4am or 5am. This is unacceptable and against the rules that govern our education system," said Murkomen.
He added that many of these crimes are committed by people known to the children, including relatives, teachers and caregivers.
Murkomen urged chiefs and assistant chiefs to raise awareness and ensure that all cases of defilement are reported as children prepare to head home for the long holidays starting next month.
The CS noted that these cases are especially high during school holidays.
"It is a great concern, since children will be going for a long holiday next month and will be home for almost two months, and that can be catastrophic," he said.
"We want to ensure that all schools provide support and that children operate in a safe environment," Murkomen concluded.
In Kisii, Murkomen met the Kisii county security team, inspected IDs and civil registration exercises and attended a town hall meeting at the Kisii County Commissioner’s residence.
Drunk OCS
On Thursday, a police officer from Migori was arrested for attending a Jukwaa la Usalama led by CS Murkomen while intoxicated.
Daniel Muchiri, the Officer Commanding the Ntimaru Police Station, was subjected to a breathalyser test before being taken to the hospital for further examinations. He was also briefly detained while regaining full consciousness.
He was later booked at Suna East Police Station and released pending disciplinary action, Suna East Sub-County Police Commander Samwel Boit confirmed.
