The Emerging Trends On The Girl-Child Urban Domestic Service In Eldoret, Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya

One in six children aged 5 to 14 years old which is about 16 percent of all children in this age group is involved in child labor in developing countries. In the least developed countries, 30 percent of all children are engaged in child labor. In Kenya, the Central Bureau of Statistics reports that 1.9 million children aged 5-17 years are working for pay or family gain. In recognition of the adverse effects of child labour and abuse, international and national efforts have been made to control it. Nevertheless child labour persists as several surveys conducted in Kenya indicate. This paper therefore sought to understand the emerging trends and challenges facing the girl child in urban domestic service in Eldoret town. The paper adopted exploratory research design for an in-depth and holistic understanding of the child labour dynamics. A sample of 253 girls working in the domestic service was used. Purposive as well as convenience sampling were utilized for selecting study participants. Data for the study was collected using un-structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews and observation techniques. A qualitative method was used to analyze data through thematic approach. The paper found that apart from friends, relatives and self being responsible for girl-child entry into domestic child labour, bureaus have been established as an emerging trend where employers get children to work for them. In addition, too much work, misunderstanding between employer and employees; very little pay; delayed payment; working for long hours; and verbal, physical and sexual violence were the major problems and hardships that girl-child workers go through while providing domestic services to their bosses. The study recommends the need for provision of economic opportunities to young girls; promotion of girl child education and sensitisation of parents and guardians on the risks of child labour in domestic service.

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