Ministry launches National Care Reform Strategy for Children in Kenya and the Assessment of the National Response to Child Online Sexual Exploitation in Kenya

The Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes launched the National Care Reform Strategy for Children in Kenya and the Assessment of the National Response to Child Online Sexual Exploitation in Kenya on 8th June 2022.

Most. Rev. Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit, The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya who presided over the event at KICC Nairobi recognised the role of faith-based organisations which he said are central to the reform of childcare services, policy and framework. He highlighted in particular the need for collaborative action on child online sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Archbishop announced that a children and teen centre had been established recently at All Saints Cathedral to teach children skills needed in navigating the online space and urged the stakeholders to support the Church’s efforts.

“The cyberspace is becoming increasingly complex hence why we saw the need to ensure that we protect children by empowering them with skills to ensure their safety as they are most vulnerable,” said Dr. Sapit.

Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Margaret Kobia who also attended the event noted that there are an estimated 45,000 children living in over 845 institutions run by charity and a further 1200 children living in 28 government-run institutions including rehabilitation, remand and rescue centres in Kenya who are not receiving acceptable standards of care.

“There is overwhelming evidence that children under institutional care suffer severe developmental setbacks as opposed to the ones in the family and community-based care,” she said.

To fully align with globally accepted standards of care, the Cabinet Secretary said that the Government in collaboration with Development Partners adopted a unified and holistic approach towards reforming the childcare system by developing the National Care Reform Strategy for Children in Kenya.

The two publications launched today have been developed in partnership with UNICEF Kenya, USAID Kenya, the Embassy of Sweden, and World Vision among other development partners. The research findings will provide an action plan to protect children from harmful online content and sexual exploitation while the National Care Reform Strategy for Children in Kenya is expected to reform the childcare system.