Chelugui urges MPs to fast-track enactment of Children’s law
Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui yesterday urged Parliament to fast track enactment of the Children Bill 2021, which seeks to protect the interest of children.
Chelugui said that after years of negotiations, The Children Bill 2021 is now before the National Assembly.
“This new law for children seeks to operationalise the provisions of the Constitution on child rights as well as to address challenges necessitated by changes in the social, economic, political and technological environments of children,” the Minister said.
He made the remarks on the celebrations of Day of the African Child in Nairobi.
This year’s celebrations are being commemorated under the theme: “30 Years after the Adoption of the Charter: Accelerating Implementation of Agenda 2040 for “An Africa Fit for Children”.
He said the theme emphasises on the need to create an environment that allows children to thrive and enjoy holistic growth hence fully implement the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, other laws and the commitments led by Agenda 2040.
“As a country, our quest for successful implementation of Agenda 2040 and our achievements so far, have been anchored on our desire to create an enabling legal and policy framework for child rights and welfare,” said the CS.
Separately, the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) raised concern that some of the existing laws and policies are not harmonised and in many cases are contradictory.
NGEC Chairperson, Joyce Mutinda gave an example of the Children’s Act (2001) saying it is yet to be harmonised to reflect the spirit and letter of the Constitution 2010.
She called upon Parliament to safeguard the rights of children by passing the necessary legislation as soon as possible.
