The Machakos County children’s assembly held at Kolping Vocational Centre, Kilimambogo, was the first one of its kind in the county’s government system of the new constitution of Kenya. The assembly was organized by the children’s department of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Services. The main purpose of the Machakos County children’s assembly was to bring children together to elect their representatives in the county and regional assemblies. However, there were some basic lectures given by the District Children Officers on the Children’s Act 2001. This provided an understanding of what their rights and responsibilities are as documented in the Act, hence forming the basis for and purpose of the assembly.
Mully Children’s Family was represented in the assembly by twelve children both boys and girls from MCF Yatta and Ndalani homes. The team was accompanied by staff from the programmes department. The assembly lasted for three days.
During the assembly, three children from MCF were appointed to take various responsibilities including Chairperson/Pastor of the assembly, Welfare and Time Keeping. MCF children showed outstanding leadership qualities. They made meaningful contributions during group and class discussions.
When the children carried out elections of their representatives, two children from MCF were elected. These are Leah Awino, a Form Two student at MCF Ndalani and Patrick Nzomo, a Form Three student at MCF Yatta. Patrick Nzomo also represented Machakos County in the regional assembly which was held on 18th of May 2011 in Embu.
The children officers in attendance highlighted that the children assembly will address the issues affecting the children. The children representatives were urged to work hard in creating awareness to the other children and to embrace a good reporting system for child abuse cases to ensure that their voice is heard.
The children who attended the assembly will initiate a children rights club as the starting point to creating awareness among other children. The club will advocate for children’s responsibility for their rights. These will enable them participate more actively in the assemblies and prepare them for the next official elections after two years. The club will domesticate an appropriate reporting system which will act as a voice for child abuse cases. The club is also expected to prepare and plan activities including music and drama competitions as well as environmental conservation day to create awareness.
Most of the children in attendance from MCF could not be elected into the assembly due to their age. Most of those in attendance were 17 and 18 years old. Only those aged 16 years and below were eligible since they would hold office for two years. Mully Children’s Family is proud of the two who were elected as children representatives from MCF.