- ODPP Children Division conducted a child justice awareness campaign at Maasai Girls Senior School and Ilmashariani Primary in Narok County.
- The programme, led by Linda Ndambiri, focused on child protection, FGM, SGBV, and reporting mechanisms, supported by the EU and UNODC.
- Learners were encouraged to speak up and seek help from trusted adults and agencies, while teachers were urged to identify and respond to abuse.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has taken its child justice awareness campaign to schools in Narok County as part of efforts to equip learners with knowledge on their rights and how to seek help when faced with abuse.
The outreach, organised through the ODPP Children Division, targeted learners at Maasai Girls Senior School and Ilmashariani Primary School, where officials held discussions on child protection, access to justice and mechanisms for reporting violations.
The programme was led by Head of the ODPP Children Division Linda Ndambiri and brought together officials from the State Department for Children Services, Probation and Aftercare Services and education stakeholders.
The initiative was supported by the European Union through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Learners Sensitised on Abuse and Reporting Channels
Officials explained to learners the different forms of abuse they may encounter and the steps they can take to report violations and obtain assistance.
The learners were encouraged to speak up whenever their rights are violated and to seek help from trusted adults, teachers, parents, guardians and relevant government agencies.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) were among the issues discussed during the sensitisation sessions, with officials highlighting the risks and long-term consequences associated with such forms of abuse.
The programme also sought to bridge the information gap that can prevent children from reporting abuse, particularly where victims may not know where to seek assistance or fear speaking about their experiences.
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Schools Urged to Strengthen Child Protection Role
By taking the sensitisation programme to schools, the ODPP said children can be reached directly with information that enables them to recognise abuse and understand the protection and justice services available to them.
The engagement further highlighted the role of schools and communities in protecting children. Teachers and other adults who interact with learners are expected to play a critical role in identifying warning signs, responding appropriately when children disclose abuse and linking victims to the relevant authorities.
The Narok outreach is part of broader efforts to strengthen child-friendly access to justice and promote early intervention in cases involving children.
The partnership involving the ODPP, government agencies, UNODC and the European Union also demonstrates the importance of collaboration in strengthening child protection systems and increasing awareness of justice services.
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The ODPP said continued engagement with learners can help create an environment where children are more confident about reporting abuse and seeking assistance through the appropriate channels.
The campaign comes amid continued efforts to protect children from practices and forms of violence that threaten their safety, dignity and wellbeing.
By Jeff Kirui
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