A non-governmental organisation operating in Marsabit County, Strategies for Northern Development (SND), yesterday flagged off a three-year project to address child abuse via outdated traditional and cultural practises in Northern Kenya.
Dubbed “Child Protection through Capacity Building, Transformation of Social Norms, and Strengthening of Protection Mechanisms,” the project is intended to eliminate the exploitation of children through child trafficking and unsafe migration.
The programme is also focusing on the eradication of outdated cultural practises like female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child trafficking, which are commonly practised in Moyale Sub County, which is at the border of Kenya and Ethiopia.
SND Executive Director Ali Ebrahim Dida said the project has received funding from the BMZ (German Government) through Terre Des Hommes.
“We are going to engage children at the school and community level, community members including parents, county and National government officials in different areas within the Sub-County to realise the outcome of this programme. There will also be a baseline survey which will be carried out to map the hotspot areas of child exploitation,” Dida said.
Dida noted that children are the future, shaping it for tomorrow, and the way we care for and guide them as we bring them up holds immense significance. He said, however, that although they confront diverse challenges within the area, climate change is the foremost issue.
The launch was also attended by, among others, the Moyale Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), Harrison Kiarie, and Sub-County Children Officer Patrick Ndirangu, who gave a brief on child trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM), and early marriages in the sub-county.
Kiarie said that it was regrettable that Children in Moyale Sub-County and the entire Marsabit County are confronting numerous challenges, from the persistent issue of FGM to child exploitation and more. Their struggles are real.
He said it was high time to come together to resolve these injustices.
“We cannot win this battle alone; it requires collective effort from all stakeholders to ensure a brighter future for the children. Let’s stand united and work tirelessly to end child exploitation. Today, I’m grateful to see all of us gathered here, ready to share our vision for a better tomorrow.”
Moyale Children Officer Patrick Ndirangu appealed to communities living within the Sub-County to shun retrogressive cultural practises like FGM and early marriages, which he said often compromise the girl child’s education. He said the communities believe that once a girl child undergoes the FGM rite, she is ready to be married off.
SND Programme Manager Joan Kosgey said her ambition is to leave a lasting imprint on child protection in Marsabit County.
She, however, appealed for collaboration between all stakeholders to secure a radiant path for children, upholding their rights and nurturing their growth.
The launch was also attended by Christine Ondieki, Assistant Director, Children’s Services. Mary Gorett Mogaka, Director, Counter Trafficking in Persons Secretariat Veronica Mwangi, Chairperson, Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTi P) Secretariat, all from Nairobi, amongst others.
By Gatana Muchira
