Orphanages under probe for child prostitution

By JOSEPH MASHA

Kilifi,Kenyua:The Government is investigating six orphanages and rescue centres in Kilifi County over claims of child abuse, The Standard has learnt.

A senior officer in charge of children rights affairs has moved in to investigate the managers of these places for allegedly exposing young girls to prostitution with tourists from Western countries.

The officer from the children’s department headquarters in Nairobi of the rank of a chief investigation officer was dispatched to the area last Thursday.

Police officers who asked not to be named told The Standard yesterday the officer from Nairobi, who cannot be named in order not to compromise the investigation, has already met senior CID and other senior police officers in the county who have been accused of not acting on reports of child prostitution cartels, mainly in Watamu, Kilifi, Mtwapa and Kikambala areas.

At the same time, Kilifi County Commissioner Erastus Ekidor revealed a committee has been formed to investigate these allegations.

During the World Orphans Day commemoration on Tuesday at Mnarani in Kilifi, the county’s children director Paul Kisavi said the acts would not be tolerated. “The Government is concerned about the care for vulnerable children especially the orphaned children,” warned Mr Kisavi.