Several cases of missing children have been reported in Nakuru, begging the question of how safe children are within the community and estates.

The recent case was reported on Tuesday October 29,2024 where a nine-month-old baby was stolen in Rhonda, while under the care of other children.

Oddly, this has not been the only case in the past three months.

With such worrying trends, parents are advised to devise mechanisms that could keep their children safe especially during this two-month school holiday break.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu, Boniface Wanjala, Kidogo franchise coordinator in Nakuru, notes that one way to try and keep children safe is to have them cared for in a day care, especially those under four years.

He notes that although day cares might not be the ultimate solution because some parents may not be able to afford this, it is something he encourages parents to explore.

Mr. Wanjala who offers training to persons running day cares in informal settlements, explains why a day care may be suitable especially for children under the age of three years and wholesomely those above that.

“Other than safety, continuous child development can be achieved through access to day cares, where learners can learn from their peers or through play. Currently schools are closed thus we can close the educational gap by placing children in an all-rounded day care having; good hygiene, close medical monitoring for children, play to enhance child development and education,” he mentions.

He continues to say for parents who cannot afford to take their children to a day care, they can keep them engaged with games at home while under supervision from adults.

Wanjala discouraged the trend of leaving children to be cared for by their older siblings.

According to statistics registered by Kidogo, Nakuru has 450 registered day cares operating within the areas of Nakuru West, Nakuru East, Naivasha and Gilgil sub counties.

In such centres, Mr. Wanjala notes they have both male and female caregivers referred to as mamapreneur and papaprenuer who are the female and male caregivers in day cares respectively.

While acknowledging that there has been some mistrust between parents and caregivers on the basis of how they treat their children, he notes that Kidogo is educating caregivers on how to handle children.

Nakuru Gender and Inclusivity County director , Selina Nkatha during an interview on November 2, 2024 at the Kidogo 10 years anniversary celebration in Nakuru .

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

On the other hand, the Nakuru Gender and Inclusivity director, Selina Nkatha notes that the county is in plans to regulate day cares through policies, to ensure that the centres operate as per the regulations and care for the children accordingly.

“The policy will enable the county to know where the day care is and how they care for the children once they are brought in. We do not want mushrooming of day cares in Nakuru that do not operate as per day care operation expectations,” she notes.

Nakuru parents urged to consider day cares as missing children reports rise

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Purity Kinuthia