Written by Jermaine Magethe
A recent government decision to defund the Child Welfare Society of Kenya has raised concern over the future of child protection in the country. The move is part of a broader restructuring scheme of state corporations, classifying CWSK as a professional body despite its long-standing role as a critical state agency in matters related to child welfare.
CWSK has been a lifeline for the most vulnerable children, providing shelter, education, healthcare, and psycho-social support for almost 70 years. In the last financial year alone, it directly reached more than 937,000 children in Kenya through rescue missions, family reintegration, alternative care, and child protection programs. Its impact has been huge, offering a safety net for abandoned newborns, victims of abuse, and children in crisis.
The decision for defunding creates urgent questions on who would bridge the gap after CWSK, how will children in remote areas access essential services, and what mechanism can be laid out to avoid these vulnerable children falling through the cracks?
At Mtoto News, we realize that the protection of children is not only a question of policy but also one of morality and a social obligation. As an organization committed to making children visible, we strongly feel that the dissolution of CWSK without a clear alternative places the very children it has served for decades in jeopardy. The moment calls for urgent dialogue between stakeholders, both civil society, policymakers, and the public, to ensure that children remain a national priority.
Instead of defunding, the government must seek ways of strengthening child protection structures and ensuring that organizations like CWSK carry on with their important work. The fate of thousands of children should never be a footnote in policy decisions. As we continue to champion the rights of children, we call for transparency, accountability, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s most vulnerable.