Day of the African Child Celebrations in Turkana County

On 16 June 2016, the government, stakeholders in child protection, community members and hundreds of children came together to celebrate the Day of the African Child in Turkana County.

This year’s theme: “Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting all Children’s Rights” sought to highlight the devastation that accompanies conflicts and crisis and the need to protect children’s rights is such situations.

Turkana County was selected as the venue for the national celebrations since, until last year, it experienced inter-ethnic conflict with neighbouring communities fighting over livestock and boundaries. During these conflicts, children are usually the most affected.

Fourteen-year-old Lilian was orphaned four years ago when livestock rustlers shot her father while he was herding his goats. “People were killed and livestock stolen during raids. We couldn’t go to school. We couldn’t go outside to look for food or firewood,” recalls Lilian.

This year, Lilian was part of a group of students from Kainuk Girls Primary School presenting a poem on the devastating effects of conflict. “Conflict is a poison that kills development,” recited Lilian and her classmates during the celebrations.

58-year-old Mary, who has lost two sons to the clashes, shares the same sentiments. “When there is conflict, our children suffer. I urge our leaders to ensure this peace lasts so that our children can go to school, become successful and contribute to the community,” says Mary.

World Vision Kenya, through Kainuk ADP, supported the community during times of conflict by providing non-food items, medical assistance to those injured and forging peace talks.

During the Day of the African Child celebrations in Turkana, World Vision Kenya’s Technical Specialist Child Protection and Education, Moses Wangunyu, called on all stakeholders to prioritize events aimed at preventing conflicts and crisis.

“World Vision Kenya will be launching the “Ending Violence Against Children” campaign to run up to 2020. This campaign will seek to advocate for the end of violence against children, due to the fact that conflict in communities makes children vulnerable to violence,” said Moses.

The children’s government president, 16-year-old Jeremiah, called on stakeholders to start child protection clubs in schools to encourage students to speak up for children’s rights and to take an active role in their own protection against abuse, violence, exploitation and discrimination.

The event culminated with all stakeholders pledging to create a safe environment for children.

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About World Vision Kenya child protection interventions:

In 2015, over 590,000 children in 30 counties in Kenya,benefited from child protection interventions including training on life skills, psychosocial and legal support after abuse, the alternative rite of passage programme and support to attain birth certificates.