Lamu enforces 7:30 pm curfew for children to curb teen crime
The directive is part of a broader crackdown aimed at curbing rising cases of teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, underage child labour, and juvenile crime across the county.
Authorities in Lamu County have announced a new measure that will see any child found loitering outside past 7:30 pm arrested, with their parents or guardians also facing legal action.
The directive is part of a broader crackdown aimed at curbing rising cases of teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, underage child labour, and juvenile crime across the county.
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The initiative, which officially took effect this week, is being spearheaded by the Children’s Department in partnership with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the judiciary, local security agencies, the Probation Department, the District Commissioner’s office, the community organisation Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), and other civil society groups.
A joint statement issued in Kiswahili by the stakeholders warned parents and guardians.
“Any child found roaming outside the house without their parent or guardian after 7:30 pm, following the isha (evening) prayer, will be arrested. The parent or guardian will also face legal consequences and be taken to court,” the statement read.
The move follows growing concern over the safety and well-being of children in Lamu, with a sharp rise in cases involving minors reported in recent months.
Kauthar Abubakar, the County Coordinator for MUHURI in Lamu, confirmed the urgent need for the directive.
Participants during the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Technical Working Group session, where the Chief Magistrate of Lamu gave a stern warning to parents and guardians. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
“As of recently, Lamu has been experiencing high cases of teenage pregnancy and rape. We are also seeing young boys, as young as 9 to 17, entering the workforce in inappropriate and unsafe conditions,” said Kauthar.
“This has raised many concerns among stakeholders and the wider community. The rise in juvenile crime has also become alarming.”
The announcement was preceded by a public forum held on Friday during a Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Technical Working Group session, where the Chief Magistrate of Lamu gave a stern warning to parents and guardians.
The forum served as a platform for open dialogue and community engagement.
“Not everyone agrees with the decision. Some feel like it wasn’t the right approach. But we felt it was important to alert our community and act early to prevent further damage,” Kauthar stated.
To ensure widespread awareness, the campaign is being rolled out through local radio stations and community WhatsApp platforms.
“We are using every channel possible to inform parents and the public about this new measure. We are doing this as a precaution for the possibility of further harm to our children,” she said.
Authorities emphasise that the move is not intended to criminalise children, but to safeguard them from abuse, exploitation, and criminal influence.
They have urged all parents and guardians to take the directive seriously and ensure their children are indoors before the set time to avoid legal consequences.
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