Sacrificed innocence, child labour in the heart of Nairobi
Sacrificed innocence, child labour in the heart of Nairobi Nation
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Child Labour in Kenya: A Harsh Reality
Introduction
It is during childhood where dreams should be nurtured and education pursued, yet for many children, this is not the case. You see, they never get the chance to be children, the chance to dream.
The Complex Reasons Behind Child Labour
As the harsh realities of child labour unfold, many Kenyan children are compelled to assume roles far beyond their years, driven by life’s most unforgiving challenges. These often-overlooked factors underscore the complex reasons that drive child labour.
A Visit to Mukuru kwa Njenga Slum
We visited Mukuru kwa Njenga slum in Embakasi South Constituency in Nairobi County, and came across young children whose survival dictates that they work, their childhoods overshadowed by adult responsibilities.
Working Conditions in Mukuru
The first stop is Kware, Mukuru in Josam Investment building. To access the building, we hop, skip and jump to avoid stepping on mud and water, thanks to the rains that keep on pounding.
When we get into the building, the floor is wet and the air dump with footsteps of tenants and visitors, making the staircase even dirtier.
A Glimpse into Brenda’s Life
At house number 206, we are ushered in. We meet Brenda Wairimu* (not her real name), her mother, sister, and niece. In the one-room house where we later find out that they are being hosted by another family (a single mother with two children), there is a makeshift bed, a black and red couch, and a rack against the wall for storing dishes.
“The family is currently in the village, but when they come back, we sleep on the floor,” Brenda says.
Brenda’s Daily Routine
Brenda, a 15-year-old, tells me that every day, she has to get up at 4.30am first to study for an hour, after which she leaves home in search of work.
“It is my prayer and wish that I become an oncologist one day when I grow up. That is why I have to study every day before the sun rises,” she says.
Challenges Faced by Child Labourers
We leave the home and walk to different places around Mukuru and Imara Daima, where Brenda tells us she gets work. The roads are in a terrible state, and are a mixture of water and mud and sludge from nearby dumpsites. Wairimu’s target clientele are people living in flats.
“Every day is different,” she says, “On a good day I will wash clothes for Sh100 and dishes for a pay of Sh50. The time I spend washing clothes depends on the load, which ordinarily takes me an hour while dishes take me around 30 minutes. Sometimes, there is no water and I have to carry jerricans of 10 or 20 litres which are bought from a nearby vendor by my employer.”
She tells us that there are times when she will work, only for her employer of the day to chase her away, failing to pay her. Sometimes, she is short-changed.
“Others will promise to pay at a later date but never do.”
Derrick’s Story
This is the case of 17-year-old, Derrick Otieno*, whose real name has been withheld. We find Derrick arranging firewood in a store owned by a friend’s parents. He is not wearing any protective gear. His hands have blisters and injuries.
“Hii nimezoea (I’m used to this),” he begins. “Nilazima juu ya works (It is necessary because of the nature of the work).”
He adds, “There is no day that I’m guaranteed of work, actually, most of the times, like yesterday, we have to sleep hungry if I did not make anything the previous day and mum also did not have anything.”
“Kazi kama hii mimi nitajengwa kahamsini, (I will get Sh50 for work like this),” he says.
The Struggles of Child Labourers
Like Brenda, Derrick seeks work in various places every day. At least now, the road around where he is working is paved with cabro blocks.
“Hii kazi nilifanya (I worked on this road),” he says as he points at the cabro blocks. “Nilikuwa najengwa four soo kubeba mawe na wheelbarrow na hata kuzipanga (I was being paid Sh400 to carry the paving blocks and arrange them).”
But ever since the road was completed, it has been difficult for Derrick to find a job, however, he is still hopeful that every day, he will managed to get a ‘decent’ job and pay. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
- Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
Analysis
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SDG 4: Quality Education
The article highlights the challenges faced by children in accessing education due to child labor. Brenda, a 15-year-old girl, has to work to support her family and is unable to pay her school fees. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure quality education for all children. The target of ensuring that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education is relevant to the issues discussed in the article.
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article focuses on child labor and its impact on children’s well-being. Both Brenda and Derrick are engaged in work at a young age to support their families. SDG 8 aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Target 8.7 specifically addresses the elimination of child labor in all its forms. The article highlights the need to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate child labor, aligning with this target.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education. | Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. |
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Fuente: nation.africa
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