Busia County has launched the children’s policy to help in handling and championing the children’s rights and protection in the county.
Speaking during the celebration of the Day of the African Child at Busende Primary School on Monday, Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga called for increased budget allocation for children’s welfare.
“In line with this year’s theme, I urge all partners to factor in serious funding and budget allocation in children’s welfare. This should also include their protection and security. Through these, we will build a community where no child is left behind,’ he said
Mwachaunga described the children as the greatest resources, hope and future of the society and economy, adding that every individual has to protect their rights, nurture their dreams and ensure they have the tools to thrive.
He stated that it’s the commitment of the national government to ensure that together with all stakeholders, the rights of children are protected.
“We are determined to strengthen children protection services, especially against abuse, neglect and early marriages. We have 1 culprit who has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment after defiling a 14-year-old. The case was at Sio Port law courts,” the CC disclosed.
The CC called on the public to come out as witnesses when such cases are reported so that to ensure there is enough evidence to sentence perpetrators.
“We have cases of early marriages which are initiated by parents, and we have agreed that strict action will be taken against them and those engaging in Kangaroo courts.”
He sounded a strong warning to those engaging in child labor and trafficking that these businesses don’t have space in the county, stating that the security apparatus is employing all means possible to bring it to an end.
Busia Law Courts Chief Magistrate Ednah Nyaloti called for the proper implementation of the children’s policy. She called for the engagement of all stakeholders in ensuring the county is safe for children.
“This policy must be implemented and this calls for a roadmap from all stakeholders that will ensure full implementation of the policy. In this county, there are increased cases of defilement, child neglect and child labor,” she said.
Nyaloti asked the public to ensure they include children in land succession cases stating that their exclusion leads to denial of their inheritance.
“In Busia law court, we don’t tolerate child rights abuse. The highest punishment we have ever issued is 70 years in a case of defilement. I can assure you that if it is proved that you have abused a child, be sure of the harsh punishment according to the law. We must protect our children,” said the Chief Magistrate.
Busia governor Paul Otwoma, through a statement that was read by the CECM treasury and economic planning Douglas Okiring, said that the commitment of the stakeholders should be felt in terms of budgets, seen in their programs and experienced by every child in the county.
The governor indicated that they are investing in the construction of ECDE classes in the county to provide a safe space and environment for the learning of young children.
“We are confronting the reality of food security and malnutrition. We are providing food for our ECDE learners, supporting their physical growth, brain development and school attendance”. The governor said
Otuoma added that the children’s policy brings together all stakeholders to stand against child labor and promote child education.
“The policy emphasizes the upholding of children’s rights to access water, health and shelter by ensuring that even in the face of disasters, these rights have not been compromised.” He said.
Rural Education and Economic Enhancement Programme (REEP) Executive Director Mary Makokha indicated that the County has remained unsafe for the children.
“We are a county that is still struggling with child labor, child marriage and leading in child defilement and neglect. We are calling for the arrest of parents who are neglecting their children so that they can know it is their responsibility to care for their children.”
Makokha urged the county government to establish a safe house for children that have been rescued, stating that many civil society organizations are forced to stay with these children due to the lack of a special place for them.
“These policies should be implemented fully so that these children can be helped. To the judiciary, let’s fast-track children’s cases so that justice is timely served. Let’s have sign language interpreters in the courts and even police stations and even hospitals,” emphasized Ms. Makokha.
She further underscored the need to have child-friendly institutions in the county to strengthen children’s services.
“Let us prioritize children’s needs and protection of their rights. We need to increase the budget allocation that deals with children’s welfare. This will help in the realization of all policies and efforts that are in place to protect children, ‘said Makokha.
Everline Achieng from Free Pentecostal Church of Kenya under Linda Mtoto Project stated that the county is facing a lot of challenges due to its fact of being at the border.
“Our children are exposed to child labor, early marriage, child trafficking and early pregnancies. We are trying to create awareness to the parents and all stakeholders to understand the rights of the children and the need to protect them,” she said
Atieno stated that they are also advocating for an increase in budget allocation for children’s matters and more sensitization to the stakeholders.
“The needs of these children should be considered by the national and county governments during budget allocation. Those living with disability have been the most disadvantaged due to lack of awareness by their parents that they have the right to education. We also need to create more awareness to the children so that they can understand their rights and be able to speak up when they are mistreated,” she said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
