In the heart of Majoni, Kisauni Sub County, a story unfolds that exemplifies the power of determination and resilience. It’s the story of a young girl, whom we will refer to as ‘Faida,’ whose journey from a life of uncertainty to becoming the National Deputy Speaker of the Kenya Children Assembly (KCA) is nothing short of inspiring.
The principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the new Children Acts of 2022, and the Kenyan Constitution all share a common vision: to ensure children’s voices are heard, their rights are upheld, and their participation in decision-making processes is valued. In 2010, the Kenyan Constitution laid the foundation for the creation of Children’s Assemblies, and one such assembly, the Kenya Children Assembly (KCA), was established in 2011. The primary objective of KCA was to amplify the voices of children, providing them with a platform to express their views and concerns. To achieve this, operational guidelines were formulated by the Directorate of Children Services, with the ultimate aim of reaching marginalized children, and ensuring their participation in shaping their own futures.
Faida, a 16-year-old girl from Majoni, was one such child who found herself at a crossroads. A community health volunteer identified her as a young girl engaged in survival sex, and it was evident that she carried the weight of uncertainty about her future. Faida was subsequently connected with a counselor for psychosocial sessions, where she completed six counseling sessions. These sessions ignited a transformation within her, and she made a resolute decision to turn her life around.
Her parents who were peasant farmers, had faced their fair share of challenges. Prolonged droughts had forced them to scale down their farming activities after their wells dried up. Despite these hardships at home, Faida was unwavering in her determination to create a better future for herself. Her dream was to become an officer in the Kenya Defense Force, and she actively participated in children’s support groups, often taking on leadership roles and engaging enthusiastically in group activities.
On April 11, 2022, children from Kisauni Sub County came together to elect their representatives who would champion child protection policies within the Kenyan Children Assembly. The KCA allows children aged 7 to 17 to exercise their civic duties by electing their peers to represent them at the national level. Those elected serve for a term of two years, with the possibility of re-election for a second term. The children’s assembly empowers children to participate in decision-making, policy formulation, planning, and implementation of activities affecting them.
Faida’s boldness shone through, and she was elected as the Speaker of Kisauni Sub County. Her words reflected her sense of honor, “I felt honored to be called an Honourable member. This challenged me that if I work hard in school, one day I can make it to parliament.” Following this, the elected children leaders embarked on a national election in Nairobi in December 2022. This national election was highly competitive, but Faida’s determination and commitment to leadership saw her elected as the Kenya Children Assembly National Deputy Speaker. She shared her excitement, “I’m honored and am looking forward to participating in decision-making, policy formulation, planning, and implementation of child-affected activities and issues affecting them.”
Faida’s journey from a life of uncertainty to becoming the National Deputy Speaker of the Kenya Children’s Assembly exemplifies the transformative power of providing children with opportunities to participate in decision-making processes. It empowers them to make informed choices, express their views, and claim their rights, including the right to be protected from harm. Faida’s story is a testament to the importance of enabling children to be active participants in shaping their futures, ensuring that no child’s voice goes unheard.
