Kikuyu: Kikuyu Town in Kiambu County was filled with song, poetry, and powerful calls to action as stakeholders gathered to mark the Day of the African Child, under the theme: 'Planning and Budgeting for Children's Rights: Progress Since 2010.'
According to Kenya News Agency, the event held at the Kikuyu Town Grounds brought together children, caregivers, government officials, police officers, judiciary representatives, and child welfare organizations-including ChildFund, Makimei Children's Home, Childline Kenya, Brexit Young Entrepreneurs, and the Kenya Police. They were united by one goal: ensuring children's rights are central to Kenya's development priorities.
"On this Day of the African Child, I stand as a living testimony of what care, support, and opportunity can do," said Felix Tanui, a university student and beneficiary of Thogoto based Nuru Children's Centre. "Thanks to the Centre, I moved from a place of struggle to joining university. Every child deserves a chance like this," he said.
Ruth Maranga, a child welfare officer at Nuru Children Rescue Centre, echoed the urgency behind child-centered support systems: "We rescue children who've been abandoned or abused. Events like this give hope and visibility to our work. But real progress depends on consistent financial support and public commitment."
She added that many rescued children are unable to reunite with families and end up relying entirely on shelter homes, which struggle under limited funding.
According to the Department of Children's Services' Child Protection Dashboard, neglect accounts for 54.5 percent of all reported child protection cases. Defilement stands at 16.7 percent and abandonment at 4.4 percent. The National Care Reform Strategy (2022-2032) estimates that over 45,000 children live in more than 845 Charitable Children's Institutions (CCIs) across Kenya. An additional 1,000-1,200 children are placed in 28 government-run remand and rescue centers.
Chief Guest Stella Kanyiri, who represented Chief Magistrate Liz Gicheha, reaffirmed government commitment to child rights and protection, saying: "A society that forgets its children is a society without a future. I call upon leaders at all levels to invest in safety, education, nutrition, and protection for every child."
She highlighted the role of the judiciary in ensuring justice for vulnerable minors, including those facing abuse, neglect, or lack of legal documentation.
Representatives from the Department of Children's Services, the National Police Service, and local administration also pledged to improve coordination and response to child protection concerns, particularly through legal and psychosocial support systems.
Despite dwindling foreign donor funding, community organizations and individuals continue to step in, providing food, shelter, school fees, and emotional support to children in need. However, stakeholders underscored the need for more sustainable, government-led investment in children's services.
The event closed on a high note with performances from children, whose poetry and music gave life to their aspirations, a future where every child is seen, heard, and supported.
Their performances were more than entertainment. They were a call that children are not just beneficiaries of change, but active agents of it.