Marsabit County has hosted the national launch of the Day of the African Child celebrations, with stakeholders calling for stronger child protection measures and improved access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare services.
The event, held at Sangante Kargi Maikona Primary School, brought together government officials, development partners, community leaders and children from different parts of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children’s Services, Hannah Cheptumo, National Council for Children’s Services official Joseph Wanje said the celebrations provide an important platform to highlight challenges facing children and identify lasting solutions.
This year’s theme focuses on ensuring every child in Africa has access to clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene services.
Cheptumo noted that the lack of such services continues to contribute to disease outbreaks, malnutrition, preventable deaths and poor educational outcomes among children.
Marsabit Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo Riwe said the county continues to face severe water shortages, with prolonged drought forcing children to travel long distances in search of water.
Riwe also expressed concern over harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, child marriage and teenage pregnancies, which have contributed to increased school dropout rates.
Meanwhile, Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande revealed that approximately 83 percent of girls in the county have undergone female genital mutilation, describing the practice as one of the greatest threats to children’s rights in the region.
Development partners, including UNICEF, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that all children enjoy their fundamental rights without discrimination.
