MP calls for law to protect albinos in East Africa

Kenya: Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura has called on East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to come up with legislation that protects people living with albinism in the region.

Mwaura said the onslaught against albinos in the East African region has reached alarming levels which calls for a law to criminalize victimization of people living with albinism to guarantee on their survival.

He said albinos in the region were living in fear of being harmed since their demand for allegedly performing some sacrifices and rituals in a neighboring country was on the increase.

"The victimizing of albinos for whichever reason is totally unacceptable since they are not children of a lesser God. They must be treated like any other children," said Mwaura.

The MP who is also the National Coordinator of Albinism Society of Kenya said the law should introduce stiff penalties on those people who commit heinous acts to people living with albinism.

He challenged the five heads of state from East Africa community to come up with a policy statement on the plight of albinos in the region which he said had reached alarming levels.

The lawmaker made the remarks at Thika School for the blind over the weekend when he took Master Gabriel Kinyanjui from Taita-Taveta who was rescued from the hands of abductors who allegedly wanted to take him to Tanzania for sacrifice.

"I call on parents and East Africans to accept and treat children and people with albinism with respect since they are just like any other kids," he said.

The legislator revealed the Albinism Society of Kenya is planning on coming up with a rescue centre of children with albinism where they will be free of victimization.

Elizabeth Mbithe the boy's mother narrated how they rescued him from the hands of abductors three times who upon interrogation said they wanted to take the young boy to Tanzania for sacrificing ritual.

"We could not do any job since we had to always ensure our son is well guarded to avoid him being taken away. They would even come at night and try to break in to the house in search of the boy but we resisted the move," said the mother.

The father Livingstone Mandu said his son faced eminent abduction which forced him to result in to guarding the young boy using bow and arrows.

He said he was always armed to the teeth and all the time stayed near his son in order he would attack any person who would try to take his son away from them.

"I would not even sleep. I had to ensure I keep 24 hour security to him since failure to do so would result in my son being taken away," said Mandu.

They thanked the MP for offering his support in rescuing the boy from Taita-Taveta to Thika School for the Blind where he will undertake his studies.