I have been attending a training on human rights research, writing and editing orgnaized by the African Human Rights Consortium -AHRC in Gaborone, Botswana. The institute seeks to produce effective media and NGO persons who will use research to push forward their advocacy work on human rights violations in their countries. But the institute story is for another day.

One evening, to be precious on 2nd October we went out in the evening for dinner. We visited two restaurants before we finally settled down for dinner. Of course we were all observant considering we are coming from different African Nations. The restaurant where we had dinner ( an equivalent of Carnival) was quiet full, considering it was Friday and in this part of the world, all restaurants and bars/pubs are closed by 11pm. I could not help but to notice a group of young women, very beautiful who occupied several tables at the restaurant. The club had no age restriction.

We noticed some really old men taking advantage of the young women to a point were one of our team members stood up to go ask one of the old man to stop undressing the young lady. As I made my way to the wash-room, I was shocked to find a man in the ladies toilet. I stepped back just to ensure i was in the right place. After about a minute or less, the man walked out and told me I could go in. 

Walking in I saw this young, beautiful lady zipping up! I smiled and she smiled back. ''So your pregnant', she asked me? 'Are you happy with it'?'. I told her i was 6 months pregnant and could not wait to see my baby. Our conversation went on for close to half an hour. I established that she was still in high school. Three weeks ago, she discovered she was pregnant. "I just had to find a way out, am still young you know''.

At the end of the our conversation, i established that the girls had been lured into prostitution all in the name of ''having a good life''. It got me thinking about child prostitution even back at home. Child prostitution has increased in the past years. Many school going girls are being pulled out of school, by their parents or lured out of school by thier peers into prostitution. A report undertaken by the Kenyan Government and the UN children's fund UNICEF, found out that seuxal exploitation of children on the Kenyan coast is reaching alarming levels. It found that 30 per cent of girls aged between 12 and 18 are selling sex for cash at resorts and that most of their clients are European men.

UNICF feels that it's time for zero tolerance of all forms of violence and especially sexual violence against children. Child prostitution is the direct result of lax local laws and corrupt public officials, including police and relevant authorities. While the core of the problem is poverty, its clear that poor governance plays an enormous role in it. Most of the girls are currently being lured into hotles and private villas and especailly along Mombasa's north and south coast where they are sexually exploited with promises of riches and trips abroad. In Malindi, impoverished children of both sexes looking for a new life sell their bodies to tourists along the historic town's white, sandy beaches, and Lamu Town, which 5 years ago was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is now known as a place that attracts men looking for young boys. 

Most child prostitution incidents go unreported, but when they are brought to light, authorities mostly do nothing. The law does not help either, since they do not specifically address child prostitution or provide for stiff punishment of offenders. Untill we put laws in place and become vigilant and responsible adults, the rights of these children will continue to be violated. It is our responsibility to protect these children yet we are the same once who violate their rights to eduction, protection and livelihood.