Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri wants the government to give the House an update on the status and welfare of baby Junior Sagini, whose eyes were gouged out in a suspected ritual.
While seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, Okenyuri demanded that the government states measures taken in ensuring adequate provision of Sagini’s basic needs.
“State mechanisms, if any, that the Government has put in place to ensure effective and efficient response to reported cases of child abuse, neglect and violence at county and sub-county levels,” she stated.
The senator further wants the government to state whether it has specially trained and designated public prosecutors to handle cases of child abuse and in ensuring the child protection centres are managed by trained counsellors.
“The government must shed light on the loopholes and challenges affecting the realisation and implementation of comprehensive child protection services in Kenya,” she said.
“It must also recommend measures that can be adopted to increase public awareness and sensitisation on the widespread challenge of child abuse, neglect and violence in Kenya.”
Last year President William Ruto has weighed in on Baby Sagini Junior's torture that left him blind after his eyes were gouged out.
The president condemned the parents and guardians of Baby Sagini for failing to protect him.
He said he is surprised that there are parents who risk the lives of their children instead of protecting them.
