By Obegi Malack
Politicians have been warned against using children in the ongoing political campaigns.
Speaking during a workshop with journalists in Kajiado County on the She Leads Programme, Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children (KAACR) director Timothy Wekesa warned such politicians that the law will catch up with them.
The children rights advocate noted that involving children in campaigns is against the law and politicians involved may be banned by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
“Parents should be in the frontline of protecting their children by monitoring their movements during this electioneering period,” Wekesa said
In the recent past, there have been cases of pictures of children being taken by politicians and being posted on social media.
KAACR Legal officer Joy Katunge said children’s rights are protected by the law and that if their pictures are to be taken, permission needs to be acquired from a person who has parental authority or by a guardian.
Katunge challenged the media practitioners to play a role in empowerment of women and girls by reporting more positive stories.
The strategic objective of the She Leads Programme is to increase sustained influence of girls and young women on decision-making and the transformation of gender norms in formal and informal institutions.
A lot has been achieved since the launch of the programme in 2021.
In Kajiado County, there has been involvement of women in decision making and programs advocating for women rights.
The programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Netherlands. It is implemented in nine countries by Plan International, Terres des Homes, and Defense for Children International (DCI) and FEMNETT.
She Leads Project, will also to be implemented in Kwale, Nairobi, Homabay and
Kisumu counties.
KAACR is the local partner of ECPAT/DCI of the four members.
