World Vision Kenya Urges Bold Investment in Child Protection on Day of the African Child 2025

World Vision Kenya (WVK) in their statement,has called on national and county governments to strengthen and sustain investment in child protection services,as Kenya joins the continent in marking the Day of the African Child 2025.

The 2025 theme, Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010, offers a timely reflection on the milestones made and the glaring gaps that still endanger children across the country.

Kenya has made strides in legal and policy reforms, including the establishment of the State Department for Children Welfare Services. However, with over 22 million children nearly half the population  the country still faces a serious shortfall in resources allocated to child protection. WVK warns that this underinvestment leaves millions vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

“The Urgency of Continued Investment in Child Protection.While we commend the establishment of the State Department for Children Welfare Services as a critical step towards strengthening institutional child protection, we stress that the fight for children’s rights doesn’t end with the budget reading. The FY2025/2026 National Budget may be finalized, but child protection must remain at the heart of Kenya’s financial and development priorities throughout the year and into future cycles,”WVK statement.

The statistics are alarming. Over 4.2 million girls are married before 18, robbing them of education and health opportunities. Thousands more undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) annually. Child labor, trafficking, and abuse remain widespread, while more than 2 million children lack birth registration, excluding them from basic services.

World Vision is calling for urgent action through mid-year budget reviews, supplementary allocations, and prioritization of children in County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs). The organization proposes specific budget lines, including Kshs. 4.5 billion for community-based protection services and Kshs. 2 billion for national coordination. An additional Kshs. 73 billion is recommended for cash transfers targeting vulnerable children.

Through its programs, WVK has helped 82,917 children access education and supported over 2,400 girls through Alternative Rites of Passage to avoid FGM. More than 60 Child Rights Clubs have been launched, alongside community training, case management, and advocacy involving religious and traditional leaders.

World Vision Kenya, National Director Gilbert Kama GA said that WVK  must ensure that no child is subjected to violence, FGM, or child marriage.

“The choices we make in our budgets today will define the safety, dignity, and future of our children. We must invest boldly and consistently.” he added.

World Vision calls on every stakeholder to turn policy into action and funding into transformation for a future where every child thrives in safety and dignity as Kenya looks toward 2030.