A new report now raises concerns over the underfunding of children’s programmes, largely contributing to the child crisis in the country. 

The study released on Tuesday has exposed alarming levels of violence against children exacerbated by chronic underfunding, with delays in the operationalisation of the Victim Protection Trust Fund further fueling the menace. 

The report by the ChildFund organisation also revealed that regulations governing the child victim compensation fund have not been actualised despite having funds allocated to the initiative in the last three financial years. 

This, the study indicates, that inadequate funding claws back efforts put towards addressing cases of sexual and physical violence against children, child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), trafficking, and neglect. 

According to the study, sexual violence affects over 10 per cent of girls and women in more than half of Kenya’s counties, while 20 per cent of boys and men in the counties of Samburu, Isiolo, and Murang’a experience rights violations. 

Speaking during validation of the report in Nairobi, ChildFund Country’s Director Alice Kamau said budgeting for the child welfare programmes has stagnated in the last 10 years, with an average allocation of Sh4.5 billion every financial year. 

“Despite this reality, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, with a new State Department now, has maintained flatline funding of around Sh4 billion annually for child protection programs, with some key initiatives receiving significantly less than allocated or none,” she said.

“Child protection begins with recognising systemic contributions in budgetary allocation. Many development partners have supported the government in ensuring children are protected from all forms of violence,” she added.

While it also emerged that the Child Victim Compensation Board received funds from the exchequer, supported by budgetary approvals since 2020, no funds have been disbursed for victim compensation due to delays in finalising necessary financial regulations.

The survey indicated that the board has received upwards of Sh89 million, while the compensation kitty received Sh108 million, which was never utilised. 

Victim Protection Trust Fund was established under the Victim Protection Act 2014 and was revised in 2022. 

“Allocation for victim support was there. But it was reallocated when there was no disbursement. The National Treasury and the office of the Attorney General need to seamlessly coordinate to ensure victims of crime are compensated.” Said Kisumu East lawmaker Shakeel Shabir, a member of the parliamentary committee on child rights.

His Mwingi West counterpart, Charles Nguna, urged the government to fast-track the regulations to “protect children from the surge in violations of their rights.” 

Eunice Kilundo, Child Protection and Advocacy manager, ChildFund, urged the State to sensitise parents on child protection, imploring them to utilise the 116 helpline in reporting cases of violations of children’s rights. 

“There needs to be a harnessed way of responding to cases without delaying support for children. The helpline needs to be fully operational, it needs staff and proper coordination,’ she said, emphasising ensuring adequate funding to enable an efficient response to the cases.