There is a need to involve children in planning and budgeting for their activities, First Lady Rachel Ruto has said.
Mrs. Ruto said that involving children would pave the way for a future that is inclusive and reflective and one that listens to diverse voices in the country.
“Children have a unique perspective and creativity that would lead to innovative solutions that will in turn, generate a positive impact in the family, their generation and the society at large,” she stressed.
“My prayer to each one of you here today is that you involve our children in planning and budgeting for their activities as we pave the way for a future that is inclusive and dynamic and reflective of diverse voices,” said the First Lady.
She was addressing wananchi who turned up at Unoa Primary Sports Ground in Wote town in Makueni Sub-County, Makueni County during the celebration of the Day of the African Child.
“Child participation is not a choice but a fundamental requirement for a sustainable goal in Kenya. Let us not leave our children behind, their voice is crucial. Children are our heritage from the Lord,” she stated.
Also, Mrs. Ruto said that it is imperative to ensure policies and programmes geared towards empowering the children are carefully planned and implemented adding: “We must ensure every policy, every shilling and every programme for children is carefully planned and accounted for as we undertake to empower them. Children should be at the centre in all decisions made in highest level of government.”
“As we celebrate today, we need to take stock of what we have achieved as a country,” added the First lady. This year’s Theme is “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress since 2010.”
Mrs Ruto pointed out that the country has enshrined the rights of children in the Constitution that includes the right to education, health, nutrition and protection among others.
Further she also said that the Children’s Act enacted in 2022 has an elaborate provision for children that includes parental responsibility and alternative care of children including guardianship and adoption.
Mrs. Ruto said that through the feeding programme that was initiated in primary schools in 2018 retention of pupils has increased from 1.5 million to 2.6 million.
On kitchen gardens, she revealed that through the collaboration with Agriculture ministry, they have established 21 kitchen gardens in primary schools under 4K clubs across the country.
The First Lady Promised to fund the drilling of a bore hole for Unoa primary School whereby the water will be used to nurture grass on the playground besides being supplied to nearby schools, markets and health facilities. “This will prevent the children from contracting diseases that emanate from dust,” Mrs. Ruto added.
Speaking at the same function, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services Hanna Wendot Cheptumo echoed the sentiments for the need for children to be involved in planning and budgeting.
Mrs. Cheptumo said that children should be given opportunities to participate and also to be heard.
On her part, Makueni Governor’s spouse Anita Mutula said that the county government has established Makueni County Child Rescue Centre that will provide care and support to child victims and survivors of violence and abuse and children living on and off the streets.
Consequently, Mrs. Mutula said that it is time to assess what has been achieved and what must be done in order to place children at the heart of policy, investment and development.
“Makueni County Children policy, 2021, provides a framework to secure the four pillars of child rights namely; survival rights, development rights, protection rights and participation rights,” said Mrs. Mutula.
She also revealed that the government has initiated programs to enhance nutrition for women and children geared towards improving access to health commodities and treatment.
Speaking at the event, the Principal Secretary (PS) for State Department for Children Services Achieng Ageng’o said the number of teenage pregnancies, female genital mutilation, and child neglect and other harmful practices were on the increase in the country.
Ageng’o called for proper parenting to avoid losing a generation due to the harmful practices and disclosed that as a department, they will go round the country and form children’s assemblies in schools where they will have a platform to speak out and be heard.
Present at the function included Ps Youth and Sports Mr. Fikirini Jacobs, Makueni County Commissioner, Duncan Darusi, chairperson National Council for Children Services (NCCS) Sophia Abdi Noor, NCCS CEO Abdinoor Mohammed, county and national government officials.
By Patrick Nyakundi
