West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka has urged families to protect children during the long school holiday.
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka urges parents to supervise children and seek education support instead of sending them into hazardous work.
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka has warned parents about school holiday risks, including teenage pregnancies, drug abuse and child labour. He urged families to closely supervise children throughout the long break.
Speaking at Bosiango SDA Church in Nyamira County, Mogaka said children need guidance while away from school. Parents, he added, should know their children’s whereabouts, companions and activities.
School holiday risks require closer guidance
Mogaka urged parents to communicate openly with their sons and daughters rather than leave them without direction. He also encouraged families to involve children in productive activities during the holiday.
The legislator said teenage pregnancy cases tend to increase during school breaks. He warned that pregnancy can interrupt a girl’s education and delay her future plans.
For that reason, he asked parents to protect girls while also mentoring boys to behave responsibly. His appeal included keeping children from roaming villages and market centres without supervision.
Mogaka also raised concerns about drug and substance abuse among school-going children. He cited peer pressure and the availability of bhang, alcohol and other substances as threats families should monitor.
To address those concerns, he urged parents to know their children’s friends and pay attention to their behaviour. He suggested checking pockets and phones where necessary, arguing that strict supervision could help prevent later harm.
Warning against hazardous holiday work
Meanwhile, Mogaka cautioned families against sending children to tea farms, quarries or construction sites to raise school fees. He described such work as child labour and said it violates children’s rights.
The MP warned that hazardous work could damage children’s health as well as undermine their education. Instead, he said children should have time to rest, study and perform light duties at home.
He also urged parents facing financial difficulties to seek government bursaries and other support for vulnerable learners. Families should pursue those options rather than expose children to exploitative work, he said.
Community leaders urged to help protect children
Beyond households, Mogaka called for a shared effort to keep children safe throughout the holiday. He asked chiefs, church leaders, neighbours and Nyumba Kumi elders to work together on child protection.
He also urged community members to intervene when they encounter child abuse or harmful behaviour involving children. His message placed responsibility on both families and the wider community to provide guidance and protection.
