Principal Secretary for Children Welfare Services, Carren Achieng Ageng’o, has called on county governments to adopt integrated child protection frameworks in Early Childhood Development (ECD) schools, citing alarming trends in child neglect, violence, and exclusion.
Speaking in Garissa during the 6th National ECD Stakeholders Conference, Ageng’o emphasized the need for a nurturing ecosystem that safeguards children from birth to age eight.
“We must raise children who will drive Kenya’s future. Their emotional foundation must be free from violence and neglect,” she said.
Ageng’o cited a 2019 survey showing that 1.4 million children under five lacked quality care, and one in two children had experienced violence. She added that one in five girls faced sexual abuse, often in homes and schools, with many cases going unreported.
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She revealed that over 60% of inmates in Kenyan prisons are sexual offenders, and 8,824 cases of missing children were reported in 2024, with only 2,336 reunited with their families. “This is a national crisis. We must act,” she said.
The PS outlined several government initiatives, including a national care reform strategy, positive parenting programme, male engagement framework, and child protection management courses at the Kenya School of Administration. She also highlighted a cash transfer pilot supporting 180,000 households in 25 counties.
Ageng’o urged parents to enroll in parenting courses and announced plans to unveil online safety guidelines to combat digital abuse. She expressed concern that only 76% of children aged 3–5 are enrolled in ECD schools, leaving 30% behind, especially in informal settlements and rural areas.
Dr. Eldas Abdi, Director General of Basic Education, called on counties to adopt a scheme of service for ECD teachers and ensure they are supervised by primary and junior secondary school heads. “ECD should not operate in isolation,” he said.
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Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Ramadhan stressed the importance of anchoring ECD in community structures. “Child development begins locally—with access to water, healthcare, and protection,” he said, urging pastoralist communities to enroll girls and children with disabilities.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama noted that devolution has transformed ECD in arid regions. “Many learners once studied under trees. Today, we’re building modern classrooms,” he said, referencing the launch of a new ECD center at Hyuga Girls School.
Jama pledged to share conference resolutions with the Council of Governors for implementation. The conference, themed “Promoting Transformative Systemic Change in a Child’s Ecosystem,” brought together policymakers, researchers, and advocates to advance ECD reforms.
The three-day event, ending July 17, will explore community-based models, indigenous child-rearing practices, and technology integration to improve early learning outcomes.
By Masaki Enock
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