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{
    "id": 1212486,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1212486/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 569,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Services in Kenya and the manner in which child abuse cases are being reported and handled. According to a new national study conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, one in two young adults in Kenya experienced violence as a child, whether physical, sexual or emotional. One example that stood out recently is the very sad and unfortunate case of Baby Sagini, an innocent three-year-old boy who was left blind after his close relatives gouged out his eyes. It begs the question, what is the problem and where is help for those vulnerable children that so desperately need it? Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Article 53(1)(d) of the Constitution, states that- “Every child has the right to be- protected against abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment and hazardous or exploitative labour.\" The rights of children have also been protected and preserved by a number of legislation, including the Children’s Act, 2022 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Other strategies and policies have also been put in place at the policy level to address the matter of child protection. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, all these support my earlier assertion that despite the Government's robust legal and policy framework for protecting children, thousands of young Kenyans experience violence, abuse and neglect every year. This results in impairment of their chances for long-term health and well-being, education as well as professional success. It is evident from the foregoing that the problem with the current status of child protection services is in implementation, not in our Constitution, laws, or policies. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in order to safeguard children from abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation, I want to emphasize the importance of putting in place an efficient child protection system. While appreciating the country's efforts to enact the proper laws and policies, including the ratification of the CRC, it is crucial to ensure that sufficient resources are provided in order to put these laws and policies into action. This may be achieved through strengthening comprehensive child protection services and implementing particular interventions such as: (i) Establishment of child protection centres in every sub-county; (ii) The development of an integrated data management system for children; (iii) The implementation of children rehabilitation programmes; (iv) Facilitation of alternative family care services (adoption, foster care and guardianship); and, (v) The finalization and implementation of the National Community Development Policy."
}