A delegation of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Social Protection that visited Kilifi County last week called on improved Child Protection and Welfare services in the region. 

Led by the Committee’s Vice Chairperson Hon. Hillary Kosgei, the delegation of MPs first toured the Kilifi Children’s Court to ascertain the state of the facility, as well as the quality of services delivered. 

Speaking to the day’s presiding judge, the Committee heard that the Kilifi Children’s Court faces a myriad of challenges, including the need for more child-friendly courtrooms, additional children’s officers to handle cases, and more finances to facilitate cases and victims.

The Committee also learned that the Judiciary has no allocation to feed the children during court processes, and were called upon to review the existing laws to make accommodation for such provisions. 

An inspection tour of the Children’s Remand Home- Malindi revealed a deplorable situation, with the remandees observed to be living under very poor conditions. 

Of major concern to the MPs was the revelation that while in remand, children don’t get basic education for the period that they remain in custody. 

“The courts are limiting the children’s rights to formal education by keeping their cases longer than reasonable.” Said Hon. Owen Baya, MP (Kilifi North). 

“We must defend the children’s rights to education, whether they are criminals or not; as long as they haven’t been sent to jail by court rulings, they are entitled to formal education.” Stated Hon. Baya. 

Speaking earlier during a courtesy call to the Office of the Kilifi County Commissioner, the MPs assured of increased budgetary allocations in the 2026/2027 Budget to cater to child protection and welfare services. 

“People forget that the safety of our children and mothers is a fundamental part of development , even beyond construction of roads and other infrastructure.” Said Hon. Kosgei. 

He assured the stakeholders in attendance of the meeting that the Committee intervened and ensured that the next budget has more funds allocated for programs supporting women, children, and the vulnerable persons in the community. 

“It  may be a drop in the ocean, but it’s a positive step in the right direction and it can only get better.” He emphasized.