KAKAMEGA CHILDRENS POLICY TO BE OPERATIONALIZED

According to the 2019 National Population and Housing Census, 42.81 percent of Kakamega County’s population comprises of children aged between 5-19 years. Street children menace, Poverty and Teenage pregnancies among others headline the challenges facing this population in the County.

It is against this backdrop that the County Government of Kakamega through the Ministry of Social Services, Sports, Youth, Gender, Culture and Library Services has developed a Policy to implement the welfare programmes of the juveniles in Kakamega County.

The in-charge County Executive Committee Member Mr Mophat Mandela on Wednesday led his officers in taking Members of County Assembly from the Delegated Legislative Committee through the Policy which once operationalized, will address societal challenges facing the children.

Mr Mandela thanked the MCAs for prioritising the exercise saying implementation of the document was long overdue. Its details, he stated, will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders before the policy is published and officially launched by Kakamega Governor H.E FCPA Governor Fernandes Barasa.

It champions for Protection of the minors against abuse, Involving them in various matters notably through the Children Assembly, making sure the children Survive and grow and ensuring their Development.

Chairperson of the Committee at the County Assembly Hon. James Nandwa expressed the Committee’s satisfaction with the document’s details exuding confidence that it will actualise the County’s Vision of respecting and realizing children’s rights.

The Governor’s Social Development agenda stresses the need to treat women, people with disabilities and children with respect and dignity, making them positive agents of development.

Chief Officers Vivien Ayuma (Social Services, Children Services, Gender and Culture) and Joseph Abucheri (Sports, Youth and Library Services) also attended the meeting.