Parents held for keeping children from school

Twenty nine parents have been arrested for failing to take their children to school.

This follows a directive from Bungoma East district commissioner John Litunda that parents and guardians ensure that their charges attend class or face the law.

“Primary education is free and compulsory. We will force all parents to take children to school,” he said.

The crackdown by police, chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders sent a wave of panic among residents, some of whom took to their heels to avoid arrest.

Dropped out

The areas most affected were Misikhu, Malaha, Misemwa and Makuselwa.

“It’s the headteachers who complained that most children had dropped out of school. We followed the registers and identified the affected parents,” said Mr Litunda.

He said the crackdown would continue. The administrator said there was rampant idleness among youths and blamed the situation for the increase in crime in the region.