Bungoma: The Principal Secretary, State Department for Children Welfare and Social Protection, Carren Ageng'o, has affirmed the government's dedication to enhancing child protection and welfare, aiming for a stable society as a foundation for national development. Ageng'o emphasized the government's development of robust policies and legal frameworks to uphold children's rights, ensuring their smooth growth and life progression.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ageng'o spoke during the launch of the Day of the African Child celebrations at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma. She highlighted the government's prioritization of budgets in the health and education sectors, allocating 30 percent of the national budget to child-related activities. She noted the government's Orphans and Vulnerable Children program, which provides financial support to help children stay in school and complete their education.
The Principal Secretary also mentioned efforts to provide devices for children with special needs, facilitating their school attendance and participation in activities that enhance their lives. She identified food, water, and education access through bursaries as primary concerns, urging stakeholders to ensure these needs are fully met.
Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for Children Services, Abinur Sheikh, Ageng'o expressed gratitude to event participants. Approximately 1,000 children from schools in Bungoma County attended the event, with the main Day of the African Child celebration scheduled for June 16 in Makueni County.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka announced the rollout of the County Child Protection Policy to improve children's welfare. He stressed the need for stakeholder collaboration to provide children with quality education, healthcare, and basic education. The County government has increased funding for Early Childhood Education (ECD) and launched the UJI program, which offers porridge to ECD center children to encourage regular school attendance and improve nutrition.