West Pokot County has established a Children’s Advisory Committee, marking a significant and crucial step toward the promotion and protection of children’s rights within the region.
Speaking during the formation of the sub-county Children’s Advisory Committee at Kalya hotel in Kapenguria constituency, an Assistant Director of Children’s services, Wilfred Azegele, said the committee would be involved in both immediate interventions and long-term solutions to ensure that children are safe, supported, and have opportunities to thrive.
Azegele said that the Children’s Advisory Committee of the West Pokot sub-county aims to develop a work plan scheduling activities to support child protection issues in the county.
He said the key intervention measures would focus on prevention and responsiveness and that the committee aimed at developing a work plan scheduling activities to support child protection issues in the county.
“The West Pokot sub-county children advisory committee will emphasise advocacy and community sensitisation about children’s rights and welfare,” stated Azegele.
He noted that the committee has 24 members, representing key stakeholders involved in child protection, and plans to extend discussion to local communities in their villages.
He emphasised the urgent need to protect children in remote areas of the county where problems like early marriage, teenage pregnancies, and female genital mutilation (FGM) are prevalent in the county.
Concerning missing children in the county, he stressed the importance of parental responsibility in ensuring children’s safety, especially during school holidays.
On her part, Kapenguria Division Assistant County Commissioner Emily Ogolla emphasised the urgent need in the county to protect children from harmful practices that could negatively impact their lives.
Ogolla highlighted the rising issue of street children in the county and called upon all stakeholders to engage in discussions to develop effective strategies for reintegrating the street children into their families.
Ogolla specifically warned against child labour, particularly in the context of children being involved in mineral mining activities within the county.
She expressed concern that mining activities detract from children’s education, as they may choose to work to earn money instead of attending school.
She urged parents to refrain from allowing their children to participate in mining activities and indicated that there would be consequences for any parent found to be permitting their children in such environments.
The Assistant County Commissioner underscored the importance of prioritising education and safeguarding children’s rights.
The Project Manager of the Big Dream initiative from World Vision Kenya, David Mwamkita, echoed sentiments raised, noting that the Big Dream initiative aims to end child marriage and teenage pregnancies and eradicate FGM cases in the county by 2030.
“This six-year initiative encompasses both West Pokot and Baringo counties, which have some of the highest rates of early marriages in the county,” he said.
Mwamkita said that through the Big Dream project, they are collaborating with local and national governments, as well as various partner agencies, to coordinate responses to end issues like early pregnancies, FGM and child marriages.
He noted that the Advisory Committee in West Pokot needed support to create a clear roadmap for interventions and strategies aimed at combating retrogressive cultural practices affecting children.
Mwamkita acknowledged the valuable contributions from various sectors represented at the meetings, including Judiciary, Probation, media, and law enforcement among other key stakeholders, which would help address the pressing issues affecting children.
Mwinyi Masika from the Youth for Sustainable World (YSW) organisation advocates for building the capacities for youth regarding sexual and reproductive health.
He emphasised the impact of harmful cultural practices on young people’s choices regarding marriage and family life and underscored the importance of education in facilitating behavioural change.
Masika called for collaboration among stakeholders to address child protection issues, particularly girls fleeing from harmful practices like child marriages and FGM.
He believes that the formation of the Children Advisory Committee would help to consolidate efforts and inform actions aimed at improving child welfare in West Pokot.
He called for a proactive approach to tackling child protection challenges and promoting the rights and well-being of children in West Pokot.
By Anthony Melly
