The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) has officially launched the 2025 National Annual Child Justice Month at the Mathare Special Training Centre in Nairobi, in a ceremony that brought together deprived children, government officials, judicial officers and development partners.
The launch, which aims to reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to strengthening child protection systems, comes at a time when the country continues to face growing challenges related to child abuse, neglect and conflict with the law.
Milimani High Court Family Division Presiding Judge, Hillary Chemitei, called for stronger collaboration among justice institutions, government agencies, and the community to ensure that every child in Kenya enjoys protection, dignity, and fair treatment under the law.
“We must hold together as one nation,” Justice Chemitei said. “These NGOs that are supporting us here must appreciate them for what they are doing. This is a reflection of their commitment to the children of Kenya.”
He noted that many child abuse and neglect cases could be prevented if communities understood and applied the provisions of the Children Act (2022).
Justice Chemitei urged the relevant ministries and organisations to make simplified versions of the Act accessible across the country.
“Once we read and understand the Act, then we will know the common crimes and how to protect both victims and suspects alike,” he said. “Please, let us ensure that every human form across the nation whether in schools, churches, or community centres has access to the Act.”
The judge reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to fast-tracking all child-related cases, particularly those involving sexual offences and child abuse.
He emphasised that children who come into contact with the justice system whether as victims, witnesses, or offenders must be treated with humanity and compassion.
“We can do more as a society to see that these children are taken care of and their rights are protected and secure,” he added.
The event attracted representatives from various organisations, including the Department of Children’s Services, Probation and Aftercare Services, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kenya Police Service, and several non-governmental organisations involved in child welfare and justice.
Speakers lauded the NCAJ for its leadership in coordinating justice reforms that focus on child-friendly procedures and rehabilitation rather than punishment.
The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on the Administration of Justice for Children, Justice Teresia Matheka, called for urgent reforms and enhanced coordination across all child protection agencies to address systemic failures that continue to expose Kenyan children to abuse, neglect, and injustice.
Justice Matheka underscored the need to translate commitments into tangible institutional action.
“When we fail to apply the law and safeguard the rights of children, we breach our oath and the Constitution,” said Justice Matheka.
Justice Matheka cited Section 22 of the Children Act, 2022, which mandates that any person who appears to be a child must be presumed to be one unless proven otherwise. She noted that the continued disregard of this legal safeguard has led to children being criminalised and processed through the adult justice system a grave violation of their rights.
Highlighting widespread challenges such as delayed cases, poor coordination, and limited resources, Justice Matheka announced several key measures to strengthen the child justice system:
Enhanced Case Management: The Committee will implement strict timelines to ensure children’s cases are heard expeditiously, minimising trauma and restoring trust in the justice system.
The 2025 Child Justice Month will run throughout November, with a series of activities planned across the country. These include legal awareness campaigns, community dialogues, school-based sensitisation programmes, and capacity-building workshops for justice sector officers handling child-related cases.
Stakeholders pledged to continue promoting restorative justice, strengthen prevention of child offences, and enhance coordination in handling cases involving minors.
By Samuel Kivuva
