New children's welfare department launched to drive reforms

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Dr Alfred Mutua when he met Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, they committed towards better working services for Kenyans working in the diaspora on August 20, 2024 at Upper Hill, Nairobi. [Kanyiri Wahito Standard]

In a move aimed at transforming the lives of children across the country, the government has officially inaugurated the State Department for Children Welfare Services.

The new department, carved out from the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, will lead in implementing the Children Act, 2022, which is hailed as a transformative piece of legislation for child protection and empowerment.

During the handover ceremony in Nairobi, Principal Secretary CPA Carren Agengo formally took over the docket from outgoing Principal Secretary Joseph Motari. The event was presided over by Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua.

Ps Agengo said that the enactment of the Children Act 2022 will only be achieved through deliberate and actionable reforms.

"I wish to give my commitment to serve the children of and in this country through putting in place strategies for operationalizing the Children Act, 2022, the main law for children in Kenya," she said.

She added that among the top priorities is the finalization and enforcement of the operational regulations that will guide the implementation of the Act.

"These regulations, currently under public participation, are expected to be completed within six months. They will address critical issues such as the age of criminal responsibility, treatment of children in conflict with the law, child protection procedures in abuse cases, and the development of child-friendly public institutions," she said.

PS Agengo added that to bring the Act to life, the department will focus on establishing child protection infrastructure across all 47 counties.

"Plans are underway to set up Child Protection Units (CPUs) in every police station and create specialized police and judicial units trained in handling children's cases. This includes separate holding facilities for minors and the development of child-friendly courtrooms," she said.

She added that the department is rolling out the Child Justice Information Management System (CJIMS), which will integrate with the existing Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS).

This digital platform will enable coordination between agencies such as the Kenya Police Service, the Judiciary, and the Directorate of Children Services, enhancing case management and decision-making.

"CJIMS has the potential to revolutionize how we handle cases involving children, making the process more transparent, efficient, and child-focused," she noted.

Despite children comprising 46 per cent of Kenya's population, only 2 per cent of the national budget was allocated to children's services in the 2020/2021 fiscal year. Agengo called for a drastic shift in government priorities.

"We must advocate for increased budgetary allocation for children's services and operationalize the Child Welfare Fund established under the Act," she said.