Cabinet considers and approves Children Bill 2020

Cabinet sitting at State House, Nairobi. Photo courtesy

By Collins Orono

The Cabinet on Thursday considered and approved the Children Bill, 2020.

In a dispatch after a cabinet meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, at State House Nairobi, the Cabinet said this is amid efforts to promote the wellness of the country and being mindful of the central place of the family as the basic unit of the society.

The Bill which was among 14 that have been sent to parliament seeks to address the increased vulnerability of children in Kenya by addressing the challenges that arise from the breakdown of families and of community systems.

“The Bill seeks to address the increased vulnerability of children in Kenya by addressing the challenges that arise from the breakdown of families and of community systems” Read part of the statement.

According to the Bill, its the responsibility of both parents to provide parental care and protection to a child whether they are married to each other or not and neither the father nor the mother of the child shall have a superior right or claim against the other in the exercise of such parental responsibility.

The Bill also makes it mandatory for the father and mother of a child born to have parental responsibility of the child whether the parents were married at the time the child was being born or did not subsequently get married among other amendments.

The cabinet also considered and approved the policy on revival of 4K-(Agricultural) Clubs in all Schools across the Country in an attempt to foster the interest of children in agriculture, so as usher a new generation of techno-savvy agricultural players who will revolutionize every aspect of agriculture in Kenya.

Years ago, children in primary schools were taught how to grow crops through 4K Clubs.

The 4Ks stood for Kuungana, Kufanya, Kusaidia Kenya in Kiswahili, a clarion call to help the country be food secure.

Keeping of rabbits, chickens, goats and growing horticultural crops for lessons and schools were some of the agricultural activities that ended up generating some income from them.

The clubs existed in all public primary schools but died in early 1990s.

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