This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
June 16, 2020, marked the International Day of the African Child, celebrated under the theme: 'Access to a Child-Friendly Justice System in Africa.'
Kenya is on the cusp of enacting a new law that has been in the making for over a decade. The Children's Bill 2019, which has been approved by the Attorney General's office, is set to be tabled before Parliament.
The Bill incorporates 27 new rights, including the appointment of a special public prosecutor to handle cases of child abuse, neglect, and maintenance, upon the Director of Public Prosecutions' recommendation. This is a significant departure from the current Children's Act.
Another notable change is the raising of the age for criminal responsibility of a child from nine to 12. While the United Nations recommends that the age of criminal responsibility starts at 14, the new Bill proposes a more lenient approach.
