The Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), in collaboration with key stakeholders, is making significant strides toward finalizing the Lamu Child Protection Policy, a landmark initiative aimed at safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring their safety across the county.
Now in its third engagement, the second in-person workshop held in Lamu County over the past two days has brought together the Technical Working Group (TWG) for an intensive review and refinement of the draft policy, marking a critical step toward its adoption.
The process, which began just over a month ago, has been described as both “encouraging and meaningful” by FCDC representatives.
Guided by the technical expertise of Dr. Eric Ater and supported by the leadership of Lamu’s County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Mr. Sebastian Owanga, and County Director of Children Services, Mwasiwa Boga, the initiative is firmly rooted in Article 53 of the Constitution of Kenya.
This article guarantees every child the right to protection from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, and all forms of violence, underscoring the policy’s alignment with national priorities.
The two-day workshop focused on refining the draft policy, building on progress made in earlier sessions.
Previous engagements included examining the state of child protection through insights from the Directorate of Children Services and County Government reports, collecting and analyzing stakeholder data, and prioritizing policy issues in collaboration with the TWG.
The draft policy, now nearing completion, is set to undergo public participation before being submitted for adoption by the Lamu County Executive and Assembly.
According to FCDC, the Lamu Child Protection Policy is poised to serve as a model for other Frontier Counties, with plans to scale similar policies to Isiolo and beyond.
Once approved, these policies will provide a framework to safeguard children, empower communities, and ensure that children in underserved regions have the opportunity to thrive.
The initiative reflects FCDC’s broader commitment to addressing systemic challenges in Kenya’s frontier counties, where children often face heightened risks due to socio-economic and environmental factors.
The success of the policy development process has been bolstered by partnerships with organizations like the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development (AKU-IHD).
“Special thanks to the International Development Research Centre and the Aga Khan University Institute of Human Development for their passion and commitment in supporting underserved areas, helping bridge the gap and ensuring no child is left behind,” the FCDC stated, acknowledging the critical role of these partners in advancing child protection efforts.
The Lamu workshop also served as a call to action, urging policymakers, civil society, development partners, and community leaders to unite in scaling these efforts across Kenya. “A true celebration of our Katiba Day can only be achieved when the rights enshrined in our Constitution are fully realized for every child,” the FCDC emphasized.
As the Lamu Child Protection Policy nears its final stages, the collaborative efforts of FCDC, county officials, and technical experts are setting a precedent for child-centered governance.