World Vision and Kenya Police Service Commission Child Protection Unit in Matete

By Sarah Ooko, World Vision Senior Communications & Media Officer, Kenya

In its efforts aimed at improving the well-being of children, World Vision partnered with the Kenya Police Service to construct a Child Protection Unit in Matete, situated in Kakamenga County, Kenya.

The Unit, whose construction and equipping cost approximately KSh.4.6 million, offers a specialised centre within the Matete Police Station for handling children’s matters, as well as offering care to children in conflict with the law.

This is in line with the stipulations of the Kenyan law, under the Children Act 2022, which mandates the government to establish Child Protection Units in all police stations across the country.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Matete Child Protection Unit, Gilbert Kamanga, the National Director of World Vision Kenya noted that the facility will play a key role in tackling child abuse cases in the area which include defilement, rape and forced marriages.

“This is a very important facility for the well-being of children. This is because any time children have their rights violated, they are usually brought to the police station,” he noted.

Child Protection Units play a vital role in creating a conducive environment for the police to handle child abuse cases with professionalism, whilst ensuring justice for those affected.

Additionally, these units seek to provide child-friendly and supportive settings where children can comfortably report cases of abuse and receive counselling.

Gilbert highlighted the current challenges faced by children seeking assistance at police stations, stating, "In many stations, children do not have a special place where their cases are handled. There is no place for them to sit and be listened to. And there is also no one to attend to their needs adequately. This is why we have partnered with the police, to help address this challenge by increasing the number of child protection units in the country."

In its broader scope, the Matete Child Protection Unit will function as an outreach centre, actively raising public awareness about children's rights, with the ultimate goal of reducing the prevalence of child protection cases in Kakamega County.

This collaborative effort between World Vision and the Kenya Police Service marks a significant stride towards safeguarding the rights and well-being of children in Kakamega County, as well as promoting a safer and more supportive community for them.