The Meru County Government, in partnership with the national government, is constructing a rehabilitation centre in Kiirua, Buuri Constituency, to provide shelter, counselling and support services for victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), child labour, street children and vulnerable school dropouts.
Meru County Director of Gender Hellen Kaberia said the facility will strengthen protection services for vulnerable groups and offer a safe space for children and adults facing exploitation and abuse.
Kaberia spoke ahead of the county’s Day of the African Child celebrations scheduled for June 12 at St Joseph Primary School in Igoji West. The continental event is officially marked on June 16 to honour the children who participated in the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, where students protested against poor-quality education and apartheid policies.
She said child labour remains a major challenge in Meru, particularly in tea, coffee and miraa-growing areas, where economic hardships continue to expose children to exploitation.
“The rehabilitation centre will also accommodate some street children and school dropouts who are vulnerable due to their circumstances,” said Kaberia.
She noted that the county’s Day of the African Child celebrations will be held under the theme, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.”
Kaberia singled out miraa-growing regions as hotspots for child labour, citing Kiegoi as an example where some children are involved in harvesting the cash crop.
“Poverty and the lure of quick money force some children to leave school and engage in miraa picking. In Kiegoi, parents mainly involve children during school holidays, but chiefs play a critical role in ensuring that all children return to school once learning resumes,” she said.
Her remarks come as the International Labour Organization (ILO) steps up campaigns against child labour ahead of the World Day Against Child Labour on June 12.
ILO officer Duncan Chando called on journalists to support the 2026 global campaign dubbed “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”
In a message to media practitioners, Chando said journalists have a crucial role in exposing the causes and effects of child labour while highlighting solutions that protect children and support families.
He urged media houses to publish stories, interviews, broadcasts and social media content that raise awareness on child labour and its links to poverty, education, social protection and decent work.
“Your reporting can help bring visibility to the realities faced by children, families and communities while also highlighting solutions and progress,” said Chando.
The rehabilitation centre and the awareness campaigns are expected to bolster efforts by both levels of government and development partners to eliminate child labour and protect vulnerable children across Meru County.
Edited by John Majau
