Social Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari has said there is a need for all justice sector actors to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle cases involving children.
He said the justice actors are Judges, Magistrates, police officers, children officers, probation officers and prosecutors.
"We must prioritise for the Judiciary, police and prosecution and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that they understand the nuances of child protection law and well well-versed in child-centred, trauma-informed practices," Motari said.
The PS was speaking during the official handing over of Children Affairs from the State Department for Social Protection to the State Department for Children Welfare Services.
He said the National Council on the Administration of Justice ( NCAJ) has already launched important training materials on the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases.
Motari added that this should be expanded to cover all aspects of child justice.
“Additionally, we must explore the idea of designating specific court days to deal with children's cases," the PS said.
He said this would not only expedite the process but would also ensure that children’s cases receive the attention they deserve in the judicial system.
Motari noted that technology will play a crucial role in improving how to manage cases involving children.
He said the Child Justice Information Management System (CJIMS) is a digital platform that has been developed to streamline coordination between various agencies such as the Kenya Police, the Directorate for Children Services and the Judiciary.
"By enhancing coordination and improving case management, (CJIMS ) will allow us to make better decisions, allocate resources effectively and track the progress of each case," Motari said.
He said it is important to address the financial constraints that hinder the effective implementation of the Children's Act.
"In the 2020 / 2021 fiscal year, only 2 per cent of the national budget was allocated to children's services," Motari said.
He revealed that children constitute 46 per cent of the population, and this is simply not enough for such a population.
He called on the families and communities to take up their roles in child care and protection.
“Awareness campaigns are essential to educate the general public about children's rights and to inform parents, teachers and communities about their responsibilities under the Act," he said.
The PS said to ensure children's voices are heard, the government will institutionalise the Kenya Children's Assembly in its programming.
He said this will reaffirm the government’s commitment to child participation in national policy discourse in line with the constitution of Kenya, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
