NPA CALLS ON ALL 47 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO TAKE STERN ACTION AGAINST CHILD EXPLOITATION

 

Nairobi, Kenya — 2 October 2026

The National Parents Association (NPA) has called on all 47 County Commissioners to take strong and lawful action against individuals involved in the sexual exploitation, defilement, child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of abuse targeting school-going children.

NPA National Chairman Mr. Silas David Obuhatsa described the situation as a national child-protection concern requiring coordinated action by the National Government Administration, National Police Service, children’s officers, schools, parents, communities and the justice system.

“These are government children. Touch them at your risk. Anyone who sexually exploits, defiles, marries off, subjects to FGM or otherwise abuses a child must be prepared to face the law. We will not allow adults to destroy the education and future of our children,” Obuhatsa said.

The NPA is urging County Commissioners to ensure that reports involving sexual abuse or exploitation of school-going children are treated as serious child-protection matters and promptly referred to the appropriate investigative and child-protection authorities.

The association says perpetrators should not be shielded because of wealth, social status, political connections, family relationships or their ability to influence parents or communities.

“No child should be sacrificed to protect an adult,” the NPA said.

NPA WARNS AGAINST COMPROMISING CHILD ABUSE CASES

Obuhatsa has also warned parents and guardians against accepting money or other inducements to compromise cases involving the abuse of their children.

“A parent must never take money or any other inducement in exchange for the safety, dignity and future of a child. Anyone who facilitates or conceals abuse must expect the appropriate authorities to investigate and take action in accordance with the law,” he said.

The NPA stressed that allegations must be investigated through due process and that prosecution should be based on evidence and the law.

CALL FOR TOUGHER PENALTIES

The NPA Chairman is also calling on Parliament, as it considers education-law reforms and other relevant legislation, to examine whether existing penalties and enforcement mechanisms provide an adequate deterrent against serious offences involving children.

Obuhatsa has proposed that Parliament consider a 50-year custodial sentence without the option of a fine for persons convicted of serious offences involving FGM, child marriage and sexual exploitation or defilement of school-going children.

The NPA clarified that this is a proposed legislative position and is not the current penalty under Kenyan law. Any changes to sentencing would have to undergo parliamentary consideration and comply with the Constitution, fair-trial guarantees and other applicable legal safeguards.

PREGNANCY SHOULD NOT END A CHILD’S EDUCATION

The NPA further stressed that children who become pregnant should not be abandoned or permanently pushed out of school.

The association called for affected children to receive protection and support while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy and pursue accountability where an offence has occurred.

According to the NPA, pregnancy can contribute to girls leaving school and may expose them to additional risks including early marriage, poverty and exploitation.

NPA’S NATIONAL CALL

The association is calling on:

• All 47 County Commissioners to strengthen coordination of child-protection responses.
• The National Police Service to promptly and professionally investigate reported offences involving children.
• Children’s Services to provide protection and support to affected children.
• Schools and education officials to protect children’s right to education.
• Parents and guardians to report abuse and reject attempts to compromise cases.
• Communities and religious leaders to reject FGM, child marriage and sexual exploitation.
• Parliament to examine stronger legislation and effective enforcement mechanisms for crimes against children.

The NPA said its campaign is not aimed at targeting particular communities but at protecting children from abuse and ensuring they remain in school.

OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE

Do not defile our children.
Do not marry off our children.
Do not subject our children to FGM.
Do not compromise cases involving our children.
Do not take our girls out of school.

“These are Kenya’s children. They belong in school, they deserve protection, and their future must not be negotiated away,” the NPA said.