Mwangaza primary school, Kayole was filled with sounds of jubilation and celebration as hundreds of school going children celebrated the day of the African child. In the back drop of these celebrations are rampant cases of child abuse perpetuated mainly by the people mandated with the responsibility of taking care of these same children.

The day of the African child is recognized worldwide as an opportunity to reflect on progress towards health, education, equality and protection of all children rights.

In their songs and dances the children told of their sad experiences and what needs to be done to give them a chance to grow to be responsible citizens.

 Esther Murugi , the minister for gender and children affairs in her speech pointed out that many children in the African continent have faced many challenges in the past and even today from abuse to hard labour to lack of access to basic needs.

Statistics according to Oxfam show that in neighbouring Somalia an estimated 240,000 children under the age of five are being acutely malnourished, out of this 63,000 of them are severely malnourished.  In civil war and ethnic clashes that have affected some of the African countries, children bear the burden suffering from diseases and hunger.

 The gender minister was quick to point out that the money allocated to children department in her ministry in the 2010/2011 budget was not enough considering the huge number of children in the country in need. It is the responsibility of every individual in the society to protect and care for children.

Despite the numerous challenges that continue to face most children, these children have a future, a future that is dependent on how it is molded by those who shoulder the responsibility of their upbringing.