Abstract:
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects, contributing factors to child labour as well as to determine the social support available for the victims of child labour in Kericho County. Child labour has a negative implications to child’s education as well as mental, physical, spiritual, moral and social development. The study was guided by social conflict theory in that due to the gap between the rich and the poor the issue of child labour arises because children from the haves not are forced to work for the owners of means of production in order to make ends meet.For this study, it employed a descriptive design and questionnaires were used to collect data from the sampled participants. Findings from the study indicated that poverty is the main cause of child labour by 55%, other causes contributed 45% including peer influence ,HIV/AIDS and to repay debts. The study also revealed that a good number of children that is 30% do not attend school due to belief that children are a source of labour as well as cheap labour. It can therefore be concluded that due to urbanization the rate of child labour continues to increase in the study area. Children are working in towns as house helps and tea factories in order to earn some money. From the study it is recommended that government to work closely with civil society group and NGOs to advocate against child labour and create awareness to the entire community about the negative effects of child labour. The researcher recommends the following areas for further research: the same study to be replicated on other parts of the country and investigation on the policy frameworks that has been used to curb child labour.
