State steps up war against online sex predators

The government has put in place stringent measures to curb online child exploitation and abuse, Gender and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore has said.

 The National Plan of Action has been rolled out to tackle the vice which Bore said is rampant in the wake of technology advancements across the globe.

 Speaking at Kusitawi Village Children’s home in Thika East during celebrations to mark the World Children's Day on Monday, Bore explained that the elaborate plan provides guidelines on dealing with online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

 The CS said her ministry has established a department under the Directorate of Children Services dedicated to implementing online child protection services. She called for support from stakeholders in the implementation of the plan of action.

 Bore who was who was accompanied by Principal Secretary Joseph Motari and Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a noted that the state has put in place laws that guide children’s rights in the wake of challenges like radicalisation, trafficking and child labour.

 Through engagements with communities, Bore reiterated that the government has enhanced efforts to protect children from retrogressive cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and early marriage.

 According to the 2019 national violence against the child survey report, over 50 per cent of the children have faced at least one form of violence in their lives.

 The CS noted that the National Prevention and Response Plan on violence against children that was developed to provide an integrated response to violence against children has borne fruits through adoption and implementation the 'End Violence against Children' campaign.