World Vision Kenya Calls on Government to Fund Protection for 22 Million Children

By Melisa Mong'ina - As Kenya joins the rest of the continent in marking the Day of the African Child, World Vision Kenya (WVK) isn’t just celebrating it’s sounding the alarm. 

The organization is calling on the government to step up and close the widening funding gaps that continue to expose children to abuse, neglect, and harmful cultural practices.

WVK has joined hands with communities, caregivers, government agencies, and child rights advocates to demand increased investment in child protection systems arguing that policy alone is not enough without proper resourcing.

“Despite notable policy progress, many Kenyan children still face serious risks. Over 4.2 million girls are married before the age of 18, thousands continue to undergo FGM in secrecy, and child abuse, trafficking, neglect, and child labour remain widespread. More than 2 million children lack birth certificates, which blocks their access to basic services like education and healthcare,” read part of WVK’s statement.

According to the organization, underfunding remains one of the biggest threats to children's safety and well-being. The absence of sustainable funding has slowed down key interventions and left many children vulnerable to exploitation and violence.

To address this crisis, WVK is urging both national and county governments to fill these gaps by prioritizing child protection in their budgets and ensuring that the funds are used transparently and effectively.

Photo credit: World Vision Kenya 

“We urge the Government, Parliament, and county administrations to close the funding gaps, commit to long-term investments in child protection, and ensure resources are used transparently and effectively to safeguard children’s well-being,” the statement continued.

Gilbert Kamanga, National Director of World Vision Kenya, emphasized that protecting children goes beyond mere rhetoric it requires bold budgetary decisions that reflect the country’s commitment to its future generation.

“True transformation in child protection comes from investing in our children,” he said. “Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation. The budget decisions we make today will shape their future.”

WVK is advocating for specific allocations amounting to over Kshs. 80 billion, which includes:

Kshs. 4.5 billion for community-based child protection services. Kshs. 2 billion for national child protection coordination. Kshs. 470 million for the Children’s Council. Kshs. 73 billion for cash transfers to support vulnerable children

The organization’s ongoing Big Dream Initiative is already showing impact. Over 82,000 children have been enrolled in school, more than 2,400 girls have been rescued from FGM through Alternative Rites of Passage, and over 60 child rights clubs have been set up to empower children across various communities.

As Kenya pushes toward achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, WVK is calling for urgent, coordinated efforts to ensure every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment free from violence, early marriage, FGM, and neglect.