Empowering Nairobi County Child Protection Officers to Combat Online Child Exploitation

Nairobi, 13th September 2024

Family and Children Services sector hosted a two-day forum at the Boma Hotel, aimed at raising awareness and developing comprehensive strategies to address the alarming rise of digital threats to children. The event, led by Mr. Robert Muema, Director Family and Children Services, brought together experts, policymakers, and child protection advocates to discuss Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), a growing concern in today's digital age.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Muema emphasized the urgent need for a united response. "The exploitation of our children is no longer confined to physical spaces. The rise of digital platforms and emerging technologies has created an uncharted battlefield where our children are exposed to threats like never before. We must adapt, evolve, and fight on every front legal, technological, and communal to safeguard our most vulnerable," he declared.

Building on this, Mr. Muema stressed the importance of collaboration across different sectors. "This is not just a fight for policymakers and law enforcement. It's a collective responsibility, from parents to educators, from community leaders to digital platform owners, to protect our children from the devastating impact of exploitation, both seen and unseen."
Following Mr. Muema's call to action, Ms. Rosemary Kibathi, Assistant Director Children Services, highlighted the county government's forward thinking approach to addressing these issues. She revealed that the Child Protection and Safeguarding policy, recently endorsed by the Cabinet, is set to be launched soon. "This framework will be a crucial tool in tackling the evolving risks associated with online platforms, working hand in hand with the existing Children's Act 2022," Kibathi explained.

Mr. Fredrick Ogutu, Assistant Director Family Welfare, reinforced the discussion by highlighting the role of popular digital platforms in exposing children to online predators. "While platforms like social media and online gaming provide entertainment and social connections, they have also become avenues for exploitation. Children are increasingly falling victim to sextortion, cyber-sex trafficking, and even webcam child sex tourism," Ogutu remarked, urging stakeholders to take proactive measures.

Throughout the forum, speakers consistently called for multi stakeholder collaboration to tackle the evolving challenges of child exploitation in both the physical and virtual worlds. The forum featured contributions from Mr. Evans Mogire, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs and World vision Kenya all of whom echoed the need for stronger legal frameworks, increased public awareness, and a united front against the exploitation of children.

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