Commemorating Day of the African Child

 

This day is marked annually on 16^th of June in honor of the children that were involved in the Soweto Uprising of 1976, protesting against poor-quality education and demanded to be taught in their native languages. Many lost their lives during this struggle for their basic rights

The theme for this year is: “Planning and budgeting for children rights, progress since 2010.”

Policy and Legislation

In 1989, world leaders adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The African Charter followed this on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in 1990.

Kenya has since made tremendous steps in coming up with various legal and institutional measures to safeguard rights of children. These include the Children Act 2022 that provides comprehensive legal framework for child protection, the Directorate of Children Services that is now an independent department.

The launch of the Free Primary Education in 2023 has equally enabled millions of children access basic education

“While there has been tremendous progress in the education sector, especially with the introduction of free primary education, implementation at the grassroots still remains a major challenge,” notes Obed Masese, Executive Director of Victory Child Empowerment.

Policy Implementation Gaps in Kisii County

There is established the Department of Social Services in Kisii County that should look into child-related matters. Kisii County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) acknowledges the need to safeguard children’s rights. However, Masese notes that these are just boardroom outlines:

“Yes, there is personnel in the department, but there is no policy to guide resource allocation.”

Efforts by civil society organizations (CSOs) and other partners to push for a county-level child protection policy in Kisii have yet to bear fruit. This is a major obstacle to full implementation of child-related programs at the county since there is no policy to guide resource allocation

Structural Challenges in Child Protection
The child protection structure in Kenya comprises Child Protection Volunteers (CPVs) at the community level, who report to Sub-County Children Officers, then to County Coordinators, and finally to the National Government. Majority of the people in the grassroots don’t know the existence of these officers

While a police station is the place, most people report child-related violations, many police officers are yet to be appropriately equipped

“Every police station is supposed to have a child protection unit, but only a handful of officers have been trained on children’s rights.” Says Masese

While there are programs targeting Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) through the Department of Social Services, many fail to benefit due to unawareness, bureaucratic processes, and corruption.

Civil Societies Role

Organizations like the Center for Community Mobilisation and Empowerment (CECOME), which operates within Kitutu Chache North, Kisii County, have stepped in to fill resource and knowledge gaps. They organize various trainings and activities regularly

According to Gladys Ondari, a teacher and volunteer with CECOME these activities need a lot of resources. “ If the government pumped in more resources, our reach would significantly increase,” notes Gladys

Similarly, Manga Heart, a CSO in Nyamira County, has been advocating for child rights. Grace Morungi, a project officer at the organization, emphasizes, “CSOs only complement government efforts. There is still much to be done.”

These organisations have done a lot in enabling children have self-awareness on their rights. Sera Nyaigoti from Omogonchoro, a parent who has attended Manga Heart’s workshops, says:

“My daughter has the number of the officers from Manga Heart. She knows that if anyone tries to harm her, she can call them. She even knows not to share a bed, even with her brother.”

Social Challenges Undermining Children’s Rights

Poverty remains a primary driver of child rights violations. Many children have been forced into the streets due to economic hardships. Addressing this requires household economic strengthening through partnerships between CSOs, government, and other stakeholders.

There is also a rising need for psychosocial support for both children and parents. Parents often struggle with having difficult conversations, especially about economic pressures. This has led to adolescent suicides, early marriages, and runaways, particularly in cases involving teenage pregnancies.

Changing Dynamics in parenting
The generational gap has strained parent-child relationships. Many parents view today’s children as “difficult”

Christopher Osoro recounts the challenge they had as a couple helping their daughter navigate the adolescent stage:

“My wife realized that our teenage daughter had started having an affair. She continuously beat her and enclosed her within the compound. This did not create a change, until I sat down with the girl, had a discussion pointing out that her actions had a huge impact in her future.”

Evans Teresi adds that couples must be united in discipline:

“When parents correct children differently, the children tend to side with the lenient parent, undermining efforts to instill proper values.”

Gladys from CECOME advises that: “There is no difficult child. Group influence and peer pressure play a major role. What we need is collective parenting and candid conversations.”

She encourages involving teachers and trusted relatives in mentoring children through tough phases, instead of punitive isolation.

Children also need to be heard and understood. “Gone are the days when parents or teachers knew everything,” Gladys adds. Parenting today demands adaptability and active listening.

There is need of open conversations between parents and their children. Some children have been neglected. Gladys further urges of the need to create a balance in the empowerment programs, involving both boys and girls

Conclusion
As Kenya marks the Day of the African Child, it is evident that while policy progress has been made, planning and budgeting for children’s rights remains incomplete without implementation. From gaps in child protection structures, underfunded county programs, to changing family dynamics and the lingering burden of poverty, there is still a long journey ahead.

The day serves as not only a commemoration of past struggles but also a call to action. True realization of children’s rights in Kenya will only be achieved through holistic planning, adequate resource allocation, active community involvement, and inter-agency collaboration.

Every child deserves full realization of their rights, living a dignified life with equal opportunity to thrive.