Empowering Kenya’s Children Through Legal Protections and Active Participation

By Shilla Lwangu

As someone working with Mtoto News International, whose mission is to make children visible, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of protecting child rights. Our vision is simple: we want a world where children are seen as players and not spectators. Yet, despite the progress made over the years, many children continue to suffer from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Children’s rights are not just words written on paper—they are fundamental to the well-being of our society. In Kenya, the Children’s Act clearly outlines these rights, breaking them down into protections such as the right to education, healthcare, and a safe environment free from violence. However, having laws in place is only half the battle. We must ensure these rights are upheld in every corner of our communities.

At Mtoto News International, we strive to give children a platform to speak up and share their views. Through our programs, we empower them to participate in discussions that affect their lives, helping to shape the world they want to live in. Children deserve to be heard, not just as beneficiaries of policies but as active participants in decision-making processes.

Yet, even with organizations like ours and the legal framework provided by the Children’s Act, many children still face grave risks. A 2020 report from the Kenyan government showed that child abuse cases were alarmingly high, with more than 20,000 cases of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse reported that year. These figures are just the tip of the iceberg—many cases go unreported, leaving children to suffer in silence.

This is why child rights advocates play such a crucial role. They work tirelessly to raise awareness, fight for stronger policies, and ensure that no child falls through the cracks. But more needs to be done. Advocacy must be supported not only by legal reforms but also by societal change. Communities need to recognize that protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.

One of the main challenges we face is that children are often seen as passive recipients of decisions made by adults. But at Mtoto News International, we believe that children are players in their own right. They have the ability to express their thoughts, share their experiences, and contribute to the solutions for issues that affect them. This is why we focus on child participation, ensuring children are part of the conversation rather than being sidelined.

Despite the good intentions of the Children’s Act, its success relies on how well we, as a society, enforce it. Schools, healthcare providers, families, and the government must all work together to create a safe environment for every child. Without this collaboration, we risk failing the very children we aim to protect.

At the end of the day, protecting children’s rights is about more than just ticking boxes. It’s about ensuring that every child, no matter their background or circumstance, is given the opportunity to grow up in a safe and supportive environment. As a nation, we must stand firm on this issue because the future of Kenya depends on the well-being of our children.

Let’s make sure we not only pass laws but also live by them. Let’s give children the visibility they deserve. And most importantly, let’s create a world where no child is left behind—where every child is empowered, protected, and given the chance to thrive.