Activists Steps up Campaign Against Child Rights Violation Within Kilifi

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Government agencies and civil society organizations are intensifying efforts to address child rights violations in Kilifi County reflecting a growing recognition that sustainable child protection requires coordinated action across communities, institutions, and local leadership.

Speaking during a community dialogue forum organized by Zamara Foundation on June 15, 2026, Kilifi North assistant county commissioner for Bahari Division, Kezia Njoroge, said multi-agency teams had strengthened enforcement measures targeting perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV), child abuse, and neglect of vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly.

“We want to ensure every child gets education and other basic rights in Kilifi. We are working with Zamara Foundation and other multi-agency partners, and we are seeing reduced teenage pregnancy in parts of Kilifi,” she said.

Her remarks point to a broader shift towards collaborative governance in child protection where government departments, community leaders, schools, and non-governmental organizations jointly tackle social challenges that have historically undermined children’s welfare.

According to Zamara Foundation community coordinator Lillian Samba Mwalicha recent gains in child protection have been driven by collective responsibility among stakeholders.

She observed a decline in school absenteeism, early marriages, and cases of sexual and gender-based violence affecting children in some parts of the county.

The community dialogue brought together officials from the County Commissioner’s office, educators, parents, village elders, and child protection actors to assess existing challenges and strengthen accountability mechanisms.

“We identified gaps, strengthened roles, and agreed to ensure children’s rights are protected,” said Betty Mtuweta, a programmes coordinator at Zamara Foundation.

The discussions highlighted the importance of community-based interventions in addressing the root causes of child rights violations.

Stakeholders noted that poverty, harmful cultural practices, weak parental supervision, and limited awareness of child protection laws remain significant drivers of abuse and neglect.

Kilifi North Subcounty children officer Apopo Warren acknowledged that Kilifi has historically faced challenges related to gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and child neglect.

He said county authorities were implementing policies and programmes aimed at improving child welfare and safeguarding vulnerable children.

“Kilifi has had challenges with gender-based violence and child neglect by some parents. Therefore, we encourage the community to champion the rights and protection of children,” he said.

Analysts note that the reported decline in teenage pregnancies and harmful practices demonstrates the impact of sustained awareness campaigns and community engagement.

However, they caution that maintaining these gains will require continuous monitoring, stronger reporting mechanisms, and greater investment in education and social protection services.

Community actors emphasized that parents, teachers, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and local administrators must remain actively involved in combating social vices that expose children to abuse, exploitation, and school dropout.

Warren noted that the county had successfully eliminated “disco matangas” and overnight funeral vigils, practices that were previously associated with increased exposure of children and adolescents to risky behavior, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse.

Zamara Foundation operates in Nairobi, Kwale, and Kilifi counties focusing on sexual and reproductive health rights, gender equality, and the protection of girls and young women.

The organization says its community dialogue model is helping strengthen parental responsibility and community ownership of child protection initiatives.

The renewed advocacy campaign underscores a growing consensus among stakeholders that protecting children’s rights is not solely a government responsibility but a collective social obligation requiring sustained community participation and institutional support.