On 13 June 2025, Kenyans woke up to the harrowing news of the death of a 5-year-old girl Amanda Mutheu. She was thrown off a balcony by her drunk uncle.
On 30th May 2025, a 7-year-old girl Tamara Blessing was found murdered in Nyeri. It was found out that she had also been defiled. The offender a 39-year-old man, Nicholas Julius Macharia pleaded guilty of the act.
These are just a few cases making headlines. Child abuse and Violence cases include, Unlawful confinement, Sexual abuse, physical abuse, FGM, Emotional abuse, Child neglect, Child prostitution, Early child marriage, Child labour, Child abduction and Child abandonment. According to Childline Kenya, most affected by abuse are girls more than boys, with early child marriage toping the chart on child abuse.
Monday 16th June marks the International Day of the African Child. This year’s theme ‘Planning and Budgeting for children’s rights’, where a major focus will be to monitor progress achieved in mainstreaming children’s issues, since 2010. Stakeholders should see to it those areas lagging behind in regard to children safety should be addressed and strategized.
Children are the most vulnerable in the society and their issues should not be taken lightly, lest we forget that children too have rights. Amanda Mutheu and Tamara Blessings are just 2 of the many children who have lost their Right to Life.
Article 5 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of The Child, states that every child has an inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by Law. Children ought to be protected from all harm and parents and guardians should see to it that children grow up happy and healthy.
When children’s rights have been violated, the Law ensures that they have access to legal justice against their offenders. This should not only be in writing but in real life.
Author: Nicole Kaggia is a writer and freelance journalist, passionate about women and children rights.
