Child sexual abuse, Don’t remain silent-Parents told

Parents have been urged to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children to protect them from sexual abuse.

Nairobi-based clinical psychologist Riziki Ahmed Kaluki observed that the vice is on the rise and called for proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable children.

She strongly condemned the recent abuse of minors by a Qur’an teacher at a madrasa in Othaya, Nyeri County, saying the incident should serve as a wake-up call for robust measures to protect children from abuse.

Appearing in court on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Iddi Ali Koitat admitted before Othaya Principal Magistrate Sandra Ogot to seven counts of committing indecent acts with children aged between five and fourteen years.

Magistrate Ogot ordered that the accused be remanded at Othaya Police Station until March 10.

“We should not remain silent about these evils. Concealment of abuse only facilitates perpetrators to continue violating vulnerable children,” Riziki who is the chairperson of Muslim Psychologists and Counsellors Association (MPCA) told Sahifa Media.

She noted that, under the pretext of protecting the community and the image of Islam, discussions on child sexual abuse are often stifled within the Muslim community, where many choose to remain silent about the vice occurring in their midst.

Riziki said there are numerous cases where madrasa teachers implicated in child abuse are merely interdicted, only to relocate to other areas where they are employed again to teach children, giving them another opportunity to continue the vice.

“We need to develop a database for madrasa teachers so that their backgrounds are properly documented. We cannot allow just anyone to teach our children without knowing their history,” she said.

The psychologist urged parents to teach children how to safeguard their boundaries, recognize inappropriate behavior, and identify signs of sexual abuse. Some warning signs include sudden changes in behavior, such as aggression or withdrawal, difficulty sleeping, and recurring nightmares. Physical symptoms, including soreness in private parts, difficulty walking, as well as problems in concentration at school, could also be telltale signs of sexual abuse.

“If it is sexual abuse, don’t remain silence, report to the authorities,” she stated.

The MPCA chairperson emphasized the need for counseling programmes for the victims of the Othaya abuse, noting that this would help both the children and their parents gradually recover from the trauma. Left without support, Riziki warned, victims risk developing lifelong psychological scars that could lead to depression and other mental health challenges.

She further urged Muslim institutions to publicly condemn such acts and called on Imams to use the mimbar (pulpit) to raise awareness about sexual abuse and promote preventive measures.