Mombasa parents with underage children should ensure that minors are not involved in any criminal activity.
Speaking on Saturday during the County’s Eid Baraza in Mvita sub-county, the Mombasa Governor warned parents that they would be arrested with their children if the minors were found indulging in criminal activity.
He called on the parents to be responsible and ensure they are aware of their children’s whereabouts.
“When a child aged between 14-16 years commits a crime and the parent says it is because the child does not have a job then it means that the parent has failed in their responsibility,” said Governor Swamad.
The governor reiterated that as a county they had done their part in ensuring they keep children in school and know their whereabouts during the holidays through the Governor Mentorship program and issuance of bursaries and scholarships.
“If we are doing our part as the county government, why not the parents? So I have directed our security team that if a minor is found indulging in criminal activity, not only arrest the minor but the parents too. Because as a parent, where were you when the minor was committing a crime?” posed the Mombasa Governor.
“If you feel the pain of being arrested together with your child, then imagine the pain of the other parent whose child was stabbed by yours,” he added.
His remarks come after a spate of criminal activities was witnessed in Kisauni and Jomvu.
According to Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor, 45 people were arrested following an operation in Kisauni the youngest being a 12-year-old.
Speaking to Baraka FM, Commissioner Noor said the operation will be extended to Likoni and Jomvu.
“We did a door-to-door crackdown in Kisauni and we will be doing the same in Likoni and Jomvu. In the operation we recovered stolen items, machetes, and knives used by the criminals in carrying out their attacks,” said Commissioner Noor.
