The Head of human trafficking survivors at Awareness Against Human Trafficking in Kenya, Winnie Akinyi, has said the family is key in the prevention of child trafficking.
She said parents play a very big part in child trafficking as they are the basic caregivers.
"Many times when you find a child providing labour somewhere or being abused, it is with the knowledge of the parent who was given a small token to allow such, " Akinyi said.
Though parents are the basic caregivers, Akinyi said taking care of children does not only fall on parents but also on the entire community at large.
"Taking care of a child starts with the family. But a child is not moulded alone. It starts with the family, then the surrounding community and ripples to the nation at large," she said.
Akinyi said key players in the protection of children against trafficking and child labour met in Nairobi on Tuesday to engage with children on matters affecting them.
"For today's event, everything is done by the children. They are the ones sitting in the panel, speaking of the challenges they face and the possible solutions," Akinyi said.
She urged all Kenyans to know it is their duty to ensure all children are protected.
Akinyi said many people see children suffering even in the streets but only choose to record as they pass by without doing anything.
She said everyone should play an active role in protecting the rights and interests of children.
That it is not just the role of the government to do so.
" See, hear and act," Akinyi urged.
" As a community we see children going to farms to dig instead of going to school, do we report such ?"
Akinyi helps survivors of trafficking integrate back into society by connecting them with their families.
