Kenya will on Monday, June 16, join the rest of Africa in marking the Day of the African Child, with this year’s national celebrations being hosted in Wote, Makueni County.
Lucy Gati, Director at the National Council for Children Services in charge of Public Awareness, Capacity Building, and Partnerships, confirmed during a press briefing in Wote that preparations for the event were complete.
“This day is meant to commemorate the brave children of Soweto, South Africa, who were killed in 1976 while protesting for their right to education under the apartheid regime,” Gati said.
She announced that this year’s theme, “Education for All Children in Africa,” was last adopted in 2010 and still resonates deeply today.
“Since 2010, we’ve rolled out several policies and programs to protect vulnerable children and orphans,” Gati added. “We want to ensure that interventions safeguard children by strengthening families — especially during unfortunate circumstances like the death of parents.”
Echoing her sentiments, Salome Muthama, the Eastern Regional Director of Children’s Welfare, said the government has made strides in expanding child protection services. She revealed that 91 children’s officers are currently deployed in 83 offices across the region.
However, Muthama emphasized the need to actively involve children in matters that affect them — including budgeting.
“Let’s involve and educate our children, not just in formal systems but also within our homes. It’s time we integrate this year’s theme into our family values,” she said, warning that neglect remains the most commonly reported children’s rights violation.
Speaking at the same briefing, Nicholis Mutua, the Makueni County Chief Officer for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, said the county government has put in place long-term strategies to support child welfare.
These include the establishment of a children’s center at Mwanyani, provision of assistive devices for children with special needs, and bursaries for vulnerable children.
“While parental responsibility is key, we must admit that neglect stems from a wider societal failure. It’s a gap that requires the collective action of all stakeholders,” Mutua stated.
The Day of the African Child is commemorated every June 16 to remember the Soweto massacre and raise awareness about children’s rights across the continent.
