Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned schools against forcing pupils to report too early in the morning. He said the practice puts children at risk of defilement and insecurity.
Risks of Early Reporting
Speaking in Kisii County on Friday, September 12, Murkomen noted that some schools require learners to be in class by 6am. As a result, children leave home as early as 4am or 5am.
“In some instances, children are being defiled on their way to school. This is unacceptable and against the rules that govern our education system,” he said.
The CS stressed that many of these crimes are committed by people close to the victims, including relatives, teachers, and caregivers.
Call for Community Action
Murkomen urged chiefs and assistant chiefs to raise awareness in their areas. He asked them to ensure that all defilement cases are reported, especially as schools prepare to close for the long holiday.
“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 explained.
He emphasized that schools must provide safe and supportive environments for learners throughout the year.
Murkomen’s Visit to Kisii
During his Kisii tour, the CS met the county security team, inspected ongoing ID and civil registration exercises, and later held a town hall meeting at the County Commissioner’s residence.
Drunk OCS Incident
In a separate incident on Thursday, a police officer from Migori was arrested for attending a Jukwaa la Usalama forum led by Murkomen while drunk.
Daniel Muchiri, the Officer Commanding Ntimaru Police Station, failed a breathalyser test and was briefly detained. He was later released pending disciplinary action, Suna East Sub-County Police Commander Samwel Boit confirmed.
