Celebration of the day for the African Child 2025:Remembering the youngest and least remembered!

As we join the world in celebrating the Day of the African Child this year, under the theme “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010,” we draw inspiration from Grace Ogot’s poem “Future Leaders”. Children are the seed of tomorrow, who need to be nurtured by wisdom, courage and vision. The African child not only represents the promise of  tomorrow, but they are the vibrant reality of today. The spirit of the Kenyan child blends through the rich traditional learning received from the community and modern aspirations shaped by the government initiatives.

Kenya continues to support children’s welfare through its robust policy framework which has led to different education reforms and child protection policies. Some of the notable once are listed below.

Education reforms

Child Protection Policies

•     Free primary education of 2003

•     Free Day Secondary Education of 2008

•     Inclusive and Special needs education 2009

•     School meals program (National School Meals and Nutrition strategy 2017

•     Competence based Education of 2017

•     The Digital Literacy program 2017

•     Competency and Talent Development 2022

•     The Children’s Act 2001(Revised 2022)

•     National Children’s Policy 2010

•     Alternative family care guidelines 2014

•     National policy on child online protection 2015

•     Child friendly courts – children with Conflict with the law

Framework

•     Creation of the National Council for Children’s services 2001

Despite the progress made by the Kenyan government in shaping the future of her children, focus has been on school going children with minimal support for children below three years old (0-3 years). This category of children hardly receives government services in health facilities unless when sick or in school because they spend most of their time with their parents at home. They are faced with struggles of malnutrition due to poor health and nutrition leading to stunting. They lack structured early learning programs, and this affects their cognitive and social development. In addition, the economic hardships in the country often force their parents to work for long hours or spend most of the time at work, making them have no time bonding or nurturing these children.

The children are therefore exposed to risks of domestic violence, neglect and exploitation. This is supported by UNICEF 2023 report on the status of ECD in Kenya which shows that although Kenya boasts of improved access to early learning attendance (85 per cent), and immunization of children (12-23 months), a high proportion of children (22 per cent) are still exposed to risks that predispose them to not reach their developmental potential. Moreover, seven in every ten children aged between 6 and 23 months are not adequately fed, leading to malnutrition cases at 23% according to the WHO standards on Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD).
UNICEF (2019) indicates that at least 175M of children in this category are not enrolled in any structured early learning program, yet this period offers an irreplaceable window of opportunity to set path towards success in youth and later life. The World Development report and the Global Education Monitoring report emphasized that investment in early years learning has positive returns not only for the individual child but also building more efficient and effective education systems. Though the government has made efforts in supporting the establishment of childcare facilities in accordance with the Constitution 2010, no policy exists to monitor how these childcare facilities are managed across the counties. The childcare facilities available are also faced with myriads of challenges ranging from the poor quality of the care services provided, lack of qualified services providers to the high levies charged.
Most of these children are left with no option but to accompany their parents to their workplaces. They are always spotted playing, sleeping and or hovering in the markets where their mothers are selling goods. They are exposed to harmful environments such as quarry sites, beaches and in congested markets.
Today as we commemorate the 2025 day of the African Child, the fate of Kenyan children between the ages of 0-3 years, is yet to be determined by the investment of resources and services from both national and county leaders. There is a need by the Kenyan government to begin with where life begins as proved by evidence. The government must prioritize coordinated support policies and programs for young children, especially the first “a thousand” days of life across health, nutrition, early stimulation and parental empowerment. Investment in children 0-3 years is a national imperative and not a charitable gesture.

References:
1. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2024). Annual Child Development Report.
2. UNICEF (2023). The State of Early Childhood Development in Kenya.
3. Government of Kenya (2025). Children Policy and Welfare Initiatives.
4. KIPPRA (2025). National Plan of Action for Children.

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