Criminal lawyer Dunstan Omari has called for renewed focus on the empowerment of the boy child in the country.
He warned that years of neglect are already leaving many young men vulnerable to crime, drug abuse, and mental health challenges.
Speaking at Moi Gesusu High School, Masaba South in Kisii County during a mentorship forum over the weekend, the lawyer said while strides have been made in promoting the rights of the girl child, the boy child has been largely forgotten in the gender equality conversation.
“It is not a competition. Uplifting the girl child should not come at the expense of the boy. We must ensure that both genders are equally supported and guided,” he said.
He asked policymakers, religious leaders, and civil society groups to invest in programs targeting boys, including mentorship, education support, and mental health services.
Omari also challenged parents to take a more active role in molding the character of their sons, noting that many boys lack positive male role models.
“Today we have converged here to say with one collective voice that it is now that time the boy child seized the moment to decide his own destiny,” he told a gathering of 2000 students Sunday.
The call comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of school dropouts, substance abuse, and juvenile delinquency among boys in various parts of the country.
The lawyer emphasized that empowering the boy child is essential for achieving a balanced and healthy society.
“A neglected boy child today becomes a troubled man tomorrow. We must act now,” he stated.
He spoke of the need for a sound academic start for learners as part of the broad efforts aimed at spurring success .
School Principal James Nomanyi affirmed the institution’s unwavering commitment to the empowerment and wellbeing of the boy child.
The extra-County school, he said, has over the years grown more intentional in creating a supportive environment that nurtures both academic excellence and personal development among male students.
“We are deliberate in our efforts to uplift the boy child, especially in a time when societal challenges continue to weigh heavily on them,” said Nomanyi.
He emphasized that the school’s initiatives are designed to address emotional, psychological, and social hurdles that affect young boys in the current climate.
He added that the school has rolled out mentorship programs, enhanced guidance and counselling services, and reinforced co-curricular engagement to keep learners positively engaged and focused on their goals.
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