Parents have been urged to closely monitor the whereabouts of their children during the long Christmas holiday, with police warning that cases of defilement, incest and other forms of child abuse often increase when schools close.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony at WhiteSwan School in Embu County, Gathoge Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Elisha Mwaniki said some children become vulnerable when they are left in the care of relatives during school holidays, exposing them to abuse and other dangers.
Mwaniki said some cases involving relatives are reported as defilement to enable investigations and prosecution to proceed, particularly where proving the legal relationship between the child and the alleged perpetrator becomes difficult.
He said some perpetrators exploit gaps in the law and questioning during court proceedings to undermine incest cases, potentially denying victims justice.
“At times it becomes very hard to sail the case since the perpetrator asks the child questions such as, ‘Do I sleep at your home?’ The child responds no, then it ends up that they are not relatives and thus the incest case ends without the child getting justice,” Mwaniki said.
He urged parents not to assume children are automatically safe when placed in the care of aunts, uncles, cousins, or other relatives, advising them to stay closely involved in their children’s lives throughout the holiday.
“It’s not a must that our children go to stay with aunts, uncles and cousins. Let’s be with them,” he said.
The police officer also warned that prolonged separation between parents and children during holidays can affect their academic performance.
He noted that some learners record a significant drop in performance between closing and opening examinations after spending extended periods away from their parents and regular school routines.
Mwaniki further urged parents to reconcile where differences exist in their families, warning that strained relationships and parental separation can expose children to difficult and unsafe environments.
He also encouraged parents to listen carefully to children who disclose experiences of abuse and ensure they receive the necessary protection and support.
His concerns were echoed by Kenyatta University lecturer Dr Betty Kathungu, the chief guest at the ceremony, who urged parents to guide children carefully as they transition from one level of education to another.
Dr Kathungu said transitions can create anxiety among children as they adjust to new teachers, learning environments and expectations. She encouraged parents to walk alongside their children and provide guidance rather than leaving them to navigate the changes alone.
She noted that society has also changed, with children increasingly exposed to people who may seek to exploit or harm them, unlike in the past when the wider community played a stronger role in identifying and addressing problems affecting children.
“Please remember you play a key role in protecting the children against technology and other things they may be exposed to,” she told parents.
Dr Kathungu also encouraged teachers to continue nurturing learners, treat them equally and remain committed to imparting knowledge, while asking parents to support and pray for their children.
WhiteSwan School director Patrick Njamiu challenged parents to take every question, concern or statement raised by their children seriously, saying seemingly minor issues could sometimes point to deeper challenges.
He urged parents to help children understand what is appropriate for their age and create an environment where they can freely speak about their experiences.
The ceremony saw 140 learners from PP2, Grade 3 and Grade 6 graduate to their next levels of education, marking an important transition in their academic journey.
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