Child Safety Measures Needed at Intersections

Kenya faces a deepening humanitarian crisis in its Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties, impacting children as they transition into Grade 10 under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). This transition is not just an educational milestone but a child protection emergency.

Drought Conditions and Affected Counties

Eighteen counties are currently classified as most severely affected by drought: Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu, Tana River, Baringo, Laikipia, West Pokot, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Narok, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale. Prolonged rainfall deficits, collapsing livelihoods, food insecurity, and acute water shortages are contributing to the crisis. These counties are home to over 12 million people, with approximately six million being children. Over 2.8 million people, including 1.4 million children, require humanitarian assistance.

Impact on Children’s Education and Protection

ASAL counties comprise nearly 89 percent of Kenya’s landmass and host roughly 36 percent of the national population. Predominantly pastoralist or rain-fed agricultural livelihoods leave households highly vulnerable to climate shocks. Assessments indicate that nearly 30 percent of households in affected counties report at least one child aged 5 to 17 years not attending school, due to poverty, migration, and increased domestic responsibilities.

The drought has led to increased risks of harmful coping mechanisms, including boys engaging in prolonged herding and farm work, and girls facing domestic labor, early marriage, sexual exploitation, and transactional sex. Migration in search of resources disrupts schooling and separates children from caregivers, exposing them to neglect and abuse. Children with disabilities face additional challenges due to limited mobility and inaccessible infrastructure.

Support and Interventions

School feeding programs are playing a vital role in stabilizing attendance and improving concentration. The Ministry of Education and the State Department for Special Programmes are commended for sustaining these interventions. The State Department for Children Services is implementing targeted support in day secondary schools within the worst-affected counties, providing dignity kits, scholastic materials, and food items. Mentorship initiatives are also being promoted. Counties currently supported include Kitui and Samburu, with plans to expand to Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Makueni, Marsabit, Meru, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kilifi, and Kwale.

Call for Coordinated Action

A coordinated, child-centered national response is needed. Strengthening school feeding programs, expanding cash transfers and social protection, providing bursaries and fee waivers, investing in water and sanitation infrastructure, deploying guidance counselors, and reinforcing community-based child protection systems are crucial. Collaboration between the government, development partners, civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, the private sector, county governments, and communities is essential to mitigate the impact of drought and protect children.

The writer is the Principal Secretary, State Department for Children Services, Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services.