Kwale: Principal Secretary (PS) for Children Services Carren Achieng Ageng'o has commissioned a one-stop child protection centre in Kinango sub-county of Kwale to provide shelter and psychological support for children facing abandonment, abuse, and neglect.
According to Kenya News Agency, PS Ageng'o stated that the opening of the new shelter at the Kinango police station headquarters marks a significant milestone in the national government's efforts to strengthen child protection mechanisms and combat gender-based violence in communities. She highlighted that the new state-of-the-art centre will provide rescued children with food, health care, psychosocial, and emotional support.
Ageng'o explained that the facility, constructed through a partnership between World Vision Kenya, the National Government, the Kwale County Government, and the local community, will serve as a safe haven for children in need of care and protection, as well as those in conflict with the law. She reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that every police station in the country provides a safe and child-friendly environment.
The PS emphasized the urgent need for robust systems to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, child marriage, trafficking, and unsafe care arrangements. She mentioned that the new facility aims to provide a safe, child-friendly space for rescue, counseling, and temporary shelter for children in need of protection. Ageng'o noted that the new centre will enhance coordinated efforts between law enforcement, social workers, and community-based child protection structures to ensure children's rights and welfare are upheld.
Ageng'o expressed gratitude to World Vision, Kwale County Government, and other stakeholders who facilitated the establishment of the child centre. She underscored the necessity of creating more safe havens for children and women facing abuse and exploitation. Accompanying her at the ceremony were Kwale Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo, World Vision Kenya National Director Gilbert Kamanga, and the Director for Children and Gender Protection Unit in the National Police Service (NPS) Commissioner Dolly Onyango. The event was attended by representatives from civil society, community leaders, and students, all united in the shared vision of building a Kenya where every child is safe, valued, and protected.
Ageng'o stressed that the protection of children from abuse is not solely the responsibility of one state institution or actor but a collective moral imperative. She praised the collaborative approach between government agencies and development partners, stating that every child deserves protection, dignity, and a chance to thrive in a safe and secure environment. She warned that the government will severely sanction any form of maltreatment, molestation, or abuse of children by any individual or institution.
Deputy Governor Kombo lamented that children continue to be exposed to different forms of abuse and rights violations, often by people trusted by the child or their guardians. Kombo urged area residents to report child abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases to the authorities for action. He mentioned that the devolved government has opened a Gender-Based Violence Recovery Unit at the Kwale County Referral Hospital to address numerous unattended gender-based violence cases across the coastal county. The new one-stop recovery centre at the hospital provides 24-hour care to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Mr. Kamanga stated that World Vision Kenya will continue to support initiatives that safeguard children from abuse, including sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation. He mentioned that World Vision Kenya will be collaborating with the NPS and county governments to expand child protection services across the country, working with all stakeholders to strengthen community-based child protection systems.