NAIROBI: 19th FEBRUARY 2024
County Executive Committee Member for Talent Skills Development and Care today joined the TWG (Technical Working Group Meeting) to finalize the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and align it with the County Attorney’s remarks before presentation to Cabinet. The subsector has been working on in partnership with World Vision and the National Government. World Vision are the main sponsors of the policy.
The County Executive said “As stewards of our community, it is our collective responsibility to ensure the safety, well-being, and flourishing of our children. It is a matter of utmost importance to finally actualize the Nairobi City County Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
Children are the future of our society, and it is our duty to provide them with an environment where they can grow, learn, and thrive without fear or harm.”
She said, we are all too aware of the vulnerabilities our children face in our rapidly changing world. From abuse and neglect to exploitation and violence, the threats to their safety are numerous and profound. “That is why the Nairobi City County Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy is not just a document but a commitment – a commitment to protect the rights and dignity of every child within our jurisdiction. This policy serves as a roadmap, guiding us in our efforts to create a safe and nurturing environment for our children, where their voices are heard, their rights are respected, and their well-being is prioritized above all else.”
Key components of this policy include, robust mechanisms for identifying and reporting instances of abuse or neglect, Protection of all children including and not limited to marginalized and minorities, refugee children, Children living with disability, street-connected children, it’s comprehensive Training for children workers and partnership with state and non-state agencies to ensure decisive actions to address child protection emerging issues.
Ms. Kariuki said “Beyond policies and procedures, true safeguarding requires a cultural shift – a collective mindset that places the welfare of our children at the forefront of everything we do. It requires us to listen to their voices, to believe their stories, and to advocate for their rights relentlessly.”
Present at the meeting were Robert Muema Deputy Director Family and Children Services, Ogutu Assistant Director, Family and Social Welfare, Rosemary Kibathi Assistant Director Children and Rehabilitation Services, Representatives from National Government Children services, World vision Tumikia Mtoto and County legal team.
Ends……