By KT Reporter
Kenyan and Ugandan authorities have met to design measures to combat rampant child trafficking and exploitation at border points between the two countries. The meeting, held in Busia town, brought together political leaders, government officials, and stakeholders from Busia and Malaba counties in Kenya, and Busia and Tororo districts in Uganda.
Participants resolved to intensify operations to arrest culprits and conduct frequent community sensitization to curb child trafficking, child marriage, child labour, and teenage pregnancies that remain common at the borders. Achieng Everlyne, the Linda Mutoto project leader from Malaba, Kenya, said perpetrators exploit porous border points to traffic children across the two countries.
She revealed they register around four cases weekly, calling on stakeholders to step up efforts to safeguard children’s lives from all forms of abuse. According to Achieng, operations will cover a 10-kilometer radius on both the Tororo and Busia (Uganda) border points. In Kenya, activities will extend to Matayos, Malaba, Angurai, Moding (Teso North), Adongosi, and Buteba (Teso South) among others.
George Osinde, the Tororo District LCV chairperson representative, blamed the rising cases of child trafficking and abuse on high poverty levels in border communities, urging more government intervention.
Sharon Nabwire, a Busia resident, said locals often send children to the streets to do petty business to sustain their families. She noted that many children sell clothes, boiled maize, tomatoes, and eggplants.
Raphael Osacha, the Busia District Probations Officer, said cases of child abuse peak during school holidays and worsen during the ongoing teachers’ strike.
He stressed that collaboration with Kenyan counterparts will help curb the vice at the border if both sides stay committed.
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