Child Rights Groups Urge Government to Prioritize Children’s Welfare in Budget
In a joint press statement read on behalf of 30 child-focused organizations across Kenya,the coalition has raised an alarm over the inadequate budget allocation for children’s welfare and protection, calling on the government to take urgent action.
Speaking through a joint statement, the coalition noted that children make up 46 percent of Kenya’s population and deserve significantly more investment in their protection and participation.
While applauding the government’s creation of the State Department for Children Welfare Services and its commitment to international conventions such as the UNCRC and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children, the organizations expressed concern over the rising cases of violence against children including sexual abuse, trafficking and online exploitation.
The coalition criticized the current allocation of just KSh 11 billion to the State Department, equating to only KSh 260 per child annually, which they say is grossly inadequate.
They urged an immediate increase of KSh 4.5 billion to fund child protection services, care reforms, field operations, and support for victims of violence.
They also called for an increase of KSh 70 million to the National Council for Children’s Services to expand county-level offices from five to 47.
Additionally, they recommended the operationalization of the Child Welfare Fund with an annual KSh 1 billion allocation, reaching KSh 5 billion by 2030.
On the non-financial front, the group emphasized the need for distinct separation between Social Development and Child Welfare Programmes, alignment of performance indicators with the department’s new mandate, and the creation of departments specifically for child participation and ending violence.
With 26 million Kenyans under 18, the coalition urged Parliament and the National Treasury to make budget documents accessible and child-friendly, ensuring meaningful child participation in planning and development processes.
“Even though children are small, their budget must not be,” the coalition stated.
