Leaders urge better parental surveillance for children during December holiday 

Leaders Thursday called on parents across the country to step up supervision and engagement with their children during the December holidays to stop unnecessary problems.

This comes amid growing concerns about children safety, online exposure, and increased idle time during the December holidays.

Already there are claims of some unscrupulous parents forcing their daughters to undergo female genital mutilation during the holiday seasons.

On Thursday, political leaders and education stakeholders said the long break often leads to spikes in reports of unsupervised youth activity, cyberbullying, and involvement in risky behavior.

“When schools close, the structure and monitoring that teachers provide every day are suddenly gone,” said Francis Bagaka, a senior administrator at Hurricane Academy in Kitutu Chache South.

He was speaking during a graduation event at the school early Thursday.

“We’re asking parents to be more present and vigilant during this period,” he stated.

Without proper supervision, he observed ,adolescent girls can be tempted to indulge in promiscuous behaviour.

“If we cannot get vigilant, then as society we must get ready to reap from a crisis of unnecessary pregnancies,” he said.

Simillar sentiments were echoed by Kisii Governorship hopeful Dr Enock Ondari and West Mugirango parliamentry hopeful David Arasa in two separate events Wednesday.

They both urged families to establish daily routines, monitor online use, and encourage constructive activities such as reading, volunteering, or skill-building.

“Parental involvement doesn’t mean policing every move—it’s about guidance, communication and care,” said Ondari.

Children, he said, thrive when adults take a genuine interest in their daily lives.

He cautioned parents against subjecting girls to Female Genital Mutilation.

“Many girls are at risk during the holidays because families use this time to perform the cut in secret.Some of are here to raise awareness and remind everyone that FGM violates the rights of girls and women and should stop,” he said during a function in Nyamache, Wednesday.

Arasa, on his part, said FGM remains one of the gravest forms of gender-based violence, despite legal prohibitions and growing public awareness.

“FGM is not culture — it is cruelty. It violates the rights of girls and women, causes life-long pain, and robs them of their bodily autonomy,” he said.

He urged parents, local leaders, and religious institutions to take a stand against the vice and protect girls from harmful traditions disguised as rites of passage.

“We cannot achieve gender equality if we keep harming our girls in the name of culture. Protecting them is not only a moral duty but a legal obligation,” stated Arasa.