Child exploitation in the Coast Region of Kenya (with special emphasis on three counties - Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi) forms the subject of this study, which has been undertaken with a view to devising effective strategies and response mechanisms to combat such incidences in their worst forms. These include the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), child labour, physical and other forms of abuse, forced marriage, child begging and the plight of street and beach children. The causes and effects of child exploitation are considered and explored. Breaking the cycles of poverty that both contribute to and exacerbate the problems is the chief focus, along with overcoming barriers to identifying victims of child exploitation, bringing people and agencies together in a manner that is better co-ordinated and more philosophically aligned. Over 450 children, aged between 10-17 years and living in the area, were involved in the survey that forms part of this report. Methodologies employed included literature review, focus group discussion, structured in-depth interviews held at household level, generational dialogues, structured observations, social mapping and geospatial analysis, and participatory rural appraisals. The findings of this study highlight a serious situation. Many children are at risk of becoming victims of multiple forms of rights violations, while some of the predominant forms of child exploitation are on the increase. Children from lower economic strata are typically most at risk. Young girls were found to be particularly vulnerable but boys are not immune. Family disruption, drug and alcohol abuse, low levels of school participation are invariably linked to child exploitation. Traditional attitudes and cultural practices cannot be ruled out either. A lack of effective intervention strategies targeting the prevailing and worst forms of child exploitation is one of the chief findings of this report. Child exploitation is being addressed from discordant viewpoints, with weak efforts and ineffective strategies the result. In its conclusions, the study suggests an intervention model based on a number of broad programme areas that include socio-economic empowerment, community-centred approaches, inclusive frameworks and smart partnerships between key stakeholders.
About the Author: Desmond Boi is a Ph.D. student in Decision Analysis and a graduate in Sociology and Statistics. He is a widely respected and extensively published Development Professional, with over 16 years proven experience in various fields of monitoring, evaluation, research and planning. He has worked and/or carried out major assignments for a wide range of government agencies and NGOs, both national and international.