The Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services has officially launched the Kisumu County Children’s Assembly (KCCA), in a move aimed at amplifying the voices of children and providing a structured platform for meaningful child participation in governance and development.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Assembly at Lela Mixed Secondary School in Nyando Sub-County, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Gender, Culture and Children Services, Hanna Cheptumo, described the launch as a historic milestone for Kisumu County.
Cheptumo said the Children’s Assembly is a formal child participation structure established under Article 53 of the Constitution and the Children Act, 2022, designed to offer children a legitimate avenue to express their views and contribute to decision-making processes.
“Through the Assembly, children are nurtured in leadership, civic responsibility and accountability, while child protection is strengthened by ensuring their concerns are heard and acted upon,” she said.
Congratulating the delegates and elected representatives drawn from schools across the county, the CS urged them to represent their peers diligently, noting that the responsibility entrusted to them is both an honour and a duty.
The Kisumu County Children’s Assembly comprises delegates aged between 11 and 17 years, with an elected leadership structure headed by a Governor and a Speaker. All the office bearers will serve for a two-year term. “You are called upon to speak boldly, responsibly and inclusively on issues affecting children,” Cheptumo told the newly elected leaders.
She emphasized that the establishment of the Assembly reaffirms that children’s participation is a constitutional right and must be upheld even during times of crisis.
The CS further called on county and national government officials, educators, duty bearers and development partners to support the Assembly by actively listening to children’s voices and integrating their views into planning, budgeting and service delivery.
“Listen to children’s voices, and integrate their views into planning, budgeting, and service delivery so that no child is left behind,” the CS pleaded.
At the same time, Cheptumo reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on violence against children and gender-based violence in all its forms. “Girls and boys must be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, child labour, early marriage and other harmful practices, while violence against women and men must be confronted openly,” she warned.
She urged community members to work together to prevent and respond to violence against children at home, in schools, places of worship and within communities, saying collective action is key to securing the future of the country’s children.
In her speech, the KCCA Governor, Aileen Florence Akinyi of Muhoroni Furaha Academy, said many children in Kisumu County continue to face numerous challenges that hinder their education and overall well-being.
Akinyi cited poverty, school dropouts, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and natural disasters such as floods as some of the key issues disrupting learning across the county.
She also noted that many children lack mentorship and emotional support, factors she said make it difficult for learners to remain in school and achieve their full potential. “These challenges make it harder for children to stay in school and succeed,” she said.
The young governor welcomed the establishment of the Kisumu County Children’s Assembly, describing it as an important platform that will enable children to express their views, share ideas and engage constructively with leaders.
Through the Assembly, Akinyi said children will advocate for education, promote child protection and contribute positively to their communities.
“As children leaders, we commit to being responsible, respectful and dedicated. We will use this platform to champion children’s rights, support education and help make our schools and communities safe for everyone,” she concluded.
By Robert Ojwang
