By Brenda Asugu
NAIROBI ,20th May 2025
A coalition of 30 child-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) has called on the government to significantly increase the budget allocation for child welfare services in the upcoming 2025/26 financial year.
Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi, the CSOs welcomed the recent creation of the State Department for Children Welfare Services and praised Kenya’s ongoing commitment to children’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution, the Children Act 2022, and international frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
However, the coalition expressed concern over the current funding levels, which they argue are grossly inadequate given that children make up 46% of the country’s population.
“With just over Ksh 11 billion allocated to the new State Department, this translates to only Ksh 260 per child for all welfare services,” the coalition said. “That amount is insufficient to effectively rescue, protect, and support our children.”
The CSOs warned that failing to invest in child protection has significant economic consequences, estimating the cost of inaction at more than $10.8 billion annually due to health and productivity losses.
To address the gap, the coalition is proposing a Ksh 4.5 billion increase for the Directorate of Children Services. The additional funds would be directed towards county-level operations, care reform, violence prevention and response, child participation programs, and staffing.
Breakdown of the proposal includes:
Ksh 1.4 billion for operations in 47 counties and 336 sub-counties.
Ksh 600 million for care reform initiatives such as family tracing and reintegration.
Ksh 600 million for addressing child abuse and violence.
Ksh 500 million to support child participation forums.
Ksh 400 million for positive parenting programs.
Ksh 1.29 billion to recruit more children officers and reduce the 40% vacancy rate.
In addition to financial proposals, the CSOs recommended institutional reforms, including the separation of Social Development Programmes from Children Welfare Services and the establishment of dedicated departments for Child Participation and Ending Violence Against Children.
They also criticized the misalignment of current budget indicators with the new mandate of the State Department and called for revisions in line with the National Care Reform Strategy (2022–2032).
The coalition flagged the unutilized Ksh 32 million Victim Support Fund, recommending its reallocation to support child abuse victims. They also urged the operationalization of the Child Welfare Fund, with a proposed annual allocation of Ksh 1 billion through 2030.
With over 26 million Kenyans under the age of 18, the CSOs stressed the importance of inclusive and child-friendly budgeting processes. They urged the National Treasury and Parliament to involve children in planning and decision-making to ensure their voices and rights are prioritized