Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has expressed deep concern over the safety of school-going children, warning that the practice of requiring learners to report as early as 6:00 a.m. is exposing them to dangerous risks.
Addressing residents during a public forum in Kisii County, Murkomen noted that many pupils are forced to leave home as early as 4:00 a.m. in order to meet strict reporting times. He said this exposes children, particularly girls, to harassment and defilement on their way to school.
“It is alarming that children are leaving their homes in darkness to beat unrealistic timetables. Some have ended up as victims of defilement on these early morning journeys. This must stop immediately,” Murkomen said.
He further pointed out that in most reported cases, the offenders are people trusted by the victims—relatives, teachers, or caregivers—making the issue even more troubling. Chiefs and assistant chiefs have now been tasked with sensitizing communities on the dangers and ensuring all cases are promptly reported.
Murkomen’s remarks come just weeks before the long holiday break, a period he warned could heighten children’s vulnerability. He urged school boards and administrators to prioritize safety by reviewing reporting schedules and aligning them with existing education guidelines.
To strengthen child protection, the Interior Ministry is working with education officials and community leaders to design a nationwide framework that addresses transport safety, supervision gaps, and community policing.
Murkomen concluded by emphasizing that learning institutions must strike a balance between discipline and safety, warning that rigid timetables should never come at the expense of children’s wellbeing.
By Keyans