Plans are underway for the launch of the first policy on child protection and safeguarding for Nairobi City County. The announcement was made by the Chief Officer for Social Services Boniface Nyamu on Sunday during a technical working group workshop.
Nyamu spoke of the urgent need for a comprehensive policy to tackle the increasing cases of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation within the county. He highlighted that the policy is designed to create a structured framework for protecting children, ensuring their rights are upheld, and providing coordinated services for vulnerable minors.
The workshop, sponsored by World Vision, brought together the National and Nairobi County Governments. Their collaborative efforts are focused on finalising the policy document, which will set clear guidelines for child protection, safeguarding, development, and child participation within the county.
“Children are the backbone of our future. It is our collective responsibility to create a safe environment where they can grow, thrive, and reach their full potential,” Nyamu stated.
The policy will prioritise key areas such as creating safe spaces for children, enhancing reporting mechanisms for abuse cases, and building capacity for children’s officers and other safeguarding personnel to address child-related issues. It also includes provisions for public awareness campaigns to educate communities about child rights and the importance of safeguarding, ensuring children’s participation in county-led programmes and activities.
During the workshop, the team highlighted the critical role of a multi-sectoral approach in ensuring the policy’s success. They called for adequate funding, clear accountability structures, and ongoing monitoring to evaluate the policy’s impact post-implementation.
The Nairobi City County Government has committed to launching the policy later in the year, signalling a significant step forward in child welfare and protection. Once operational, the policy is expected to serve as a benchmark for other counties in Kenya, underscoring Nairobi’s leadership in addressing critical social issues.
The Chief Officer stated, “World Vision-Tumikia Mtoto Project, the main sponsors of the policy, played a critical role in its development and funding. They have been at the forefront of advocating for child rights and safeguarding initiatives in Kenya and globally. Through their financial and technical support, World Vision has ensured that the policy is comprehensive, inclusive, and aligned with international child protection standards. Their involvement also included capacity building for stakeholders and mobilising resources to ensure the successful implementation of the policy.”
Speaking during the workshop, Ms Catherine Kimemia from World Vision reiterated the organisation’s commitment to partnering with Nairobi City County to create a safer environment for every child. “We look forward to the successful implementation of this policy; it has been a journey, but we are finally here,” said Catherine.
As the technical working group fine-tunes the final draft, the Chief Officer expressed optimism that the policy will mark the beginning of a transformative era for children in Nairobi, ensuring they are safeguarded against harm and given every opportunity to succeed and lead normal lives.
The TWG team comprised Ag. Director Robert Muema, Deputy Directors Rosemary Kibathi (Children’s Services), Fredrick Ogutu (Family Welfare), Christine Ongoro (Community Development), and Deputy Director Geoffrey Ochele (Public Participation), Chief Children Officer Jacinta Nanyama, and Principal Social Worker Elizabeth Murugi.
