County government petitioned to introduce contraceptives among street children

BY MOSES NYAMORI

Eldoret, Kenya: A lobby group has petitioned Uasin Gishu County government to pass a by-law legalising use of contraceptives among sexually active teenage street girls to curb the soaring number of street families and to protect rights of the unborn.

In a petition letter served to the County Governor and the Speaker of the County Assembly, The Centre for Human Rights, Democracy and Mediation wants the county government to legislate laws that would provide for either mandatory or voluntary family planning measures for the young but sexually active street girls.

“It is our observation that the street population has become endemic in the town of Eldoret and its surrounding estates and some drastic measures have to be taken. The number of street children in Eldoret is currently approximated at 1,000 out of which there are over 300 families constituting of fathers, mothers and children,” said Nick Omitto, the group acting Chief Executive Officer.

The group said it would be important for the county government to enact the relevant legislation that would facilitate the implementation of the exercise to curb the street children menace as they seek for other lasting solutions to the problem.

“We want the county government under its constitutional mandate as provided for in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, part 2 (2a), 3, 8 (a) 9 and Chapter 4 part 2 article 26(2) and preliminary part of the Children’s act part 2 and 3 to legislate laws that would provide for either mandatory or voluntary family planning measures for the young but sexually active street girls,” said Omitto.

He further noted that some sexually active street boys and even upright men with abnormal sexual last and libido sexually assault and sire children with the innocent street girls before disappearing living the urchins with the burden of parenting the street babies.

The group is rooting for use of Norplant, Intrauterine Device (IUD), Depo-Provera or coil which are reversible.

“We are under a strong believe that modern family planning methods are legal and do not abrogate any rights,” reiterated Omitto.

Uasin Gishu County Children’s Officer Mr Julius Yator welcomed the move but expressed fears on how it would be implemented if passed to law.