Cases of Child Neglect and Abandonment in Kenya Up Within last Decade

Neglect and abandonment have been identified as the root cause of all other forms of child abuse in Kenya. Over the last 10 years, a total of 13,878 cases of child neglect and abandonment have been reported.

A report released by Childline Kenya on Tuesday showed that 75 percent of child neglect was perpetrated by immediate family members followed by parents and extended family at 17 percent and 8 percent respectively.

Childline Kenya Executive Director Mr. George Kidenda said that child neglect is very dangerous as it exposes the child to all other forms of abuse.

“The most reported forms of child neglect are in the form of prohibition from school, lack of medical attention and denial of food. As a result of these forms of abandonment, a child is left open to other forms of abuse,” said Mr. Kidenda.

Since 2006, Childline Kenya has been running a 24-hour National Child Helpline 116 that allows Kenyans to report child abuse.

According to the report, more than 33,929 cases of child abuse have been reported through the 24-hour National Child Helpline 116 helpline over the last 10 years.

The forms of child abuse reported between 2006 – 2016 were included 
Child neglect/ abandonment 13878, Child trafficking, abduction and kidnapping 528, Child labour 3123, Emotional abuse 1025, Female genital mutilation 226, Physical abuse 7317 and Sexual abuse 7832

The reporting of the child abuse cases has seen a decline in the last four years due to technical issue occasioned by an aging system and Childline Kenya’s diminished ability to create awareness.

Mr. Kidenda said these numbers were merely a shadow of the reality on the ground as many abuse cases go unreported every day.

“Many cases go unreported for fear of being victimized in school. Furthermore, many people do not know that there exists hotlines where incidents of abuse could be reported by anyone who witnesses them. More awareness is therefore needed to empower children on their rights and where to report should their rights be violated,” Mr. Kidenda said.

The report  further revealed that both girls and boys are equally likely to be abused, and therefore need equal attention and protection. While many of the abuse cases happened outside the home, people well known by the child including relatives were the main perpetrators particularly in sexual abuse cases. 

Mr. Kidenda noted that it was very unfortunate that the most trusted people in a children’s life were the same people that lead in abusing them sexually.

“Within this reporting period, fathers took the lead of abusing their daughters sexually followed by the uncles. Age group 6-10 years seems to have been at the highest risk of being abused followed by 11-15 years,” added Kidenda

Many Kenyans remain unaware of the available channels for reporting child abuse cases. The calls received through the Childline Helpline were mainly from Nairobi County where there is more awareness. However, in other remote counties where abuse may be more rampant, cases go unreported and only occasionally surface in form of news reports after a major incident.

Related: Gender Parity in Girl Child Education in Kenya Narrows