40 health facilities in different parts of the country have been suspended by the Social Health Authority (SHA) for alleged involvement in fraudulent claims, submission of false hospital records and multiple billing worth millions of shillings, which has jeopardised the sustainability of the health scheme.
According to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, a forensic audit conducted by the Authority through the digital health system, which is equipped to detect and eliminate fraud, implicated eight doctors in fraudulent activities at facilities in Nairobi, Bungoma and Kilifi Counties and four clinicians associated with facilities in Nairobi and Homa Bay Counties.
Duale warned that fraud, once seen under the defunct NHIF will not be tolerated under SHA, with offenders facing personal liability and surcharges.
“We have suspended 40 health facilities found to be defrauding SHA. These suspensions take effect immediately. During the investigation period, these facilities will not receive any benefits from SHA, and we will surcharge them for the money lost. We have also identified several health professionals involved, including eight doctors in Nairobi, Bungoma, and Kilifi”, the CS disclosed.
Speaking Friday at the Ministry of Health buildings in Nairobi, Duale said the Authority has withdrawn the health workers’ user rights and cancelled their professional licenses with immediate effect.
“Any doctor or health official involved in defrauding SHA will be held responsible. We will hand over all the hospitals and the 12 health officials to the DCI for further investigations. Additionally, we have ordered the relevant regulatory bodies to cancel their licences.” He said.
He urged Kenyans to protect their SHA OTPs, announced biometric verification in major facilities to curb misuse, and called on the public to report suspected fraud via toll-free 147.
Kenya has been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating Human African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) as a public health problem, marking a historic milestone in disease control.
Speaking Friday at the ceremony themed “One Health One Fight Towards a Sleeping Sickness-Free Kenya,” Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale noted that the country has reported zero indigenous cases since 2009 — a result of strong policy, leadership, scientific excellence, and community action.
The CS commended health workers, technical partners, and communities, and reaffirmed commitment to sustained surveillance, early detection, community engagement, and integration of HAT services into primary health care.
The achievement aligns with Kenya’s Emergency Preparedness and Response agenda, supported by investments in the National Public Health Institute (NPHI) to strengthen disease surveillance and rapid response.
This validation marks a major public health milestone for Kenya, as we celebrate the elimination of a deadly disease in our country. The achievement will not only protect our people but also pave the way for renewed economic growth and prosperity,” said CS Duale.
Kenya now becomes the 10th country to reach this important milestone.
The first cases of HAT in Kenya were detected in the early 20 century. Since then, Kenya has engaged in consistent control activities, without indigenous new cases reported for over 10 years. The last autochthonous case was detected in 2009, and the last two exported cases, infected in the Masai Mara National Reserve, were detected in 2012.
Recently, Kenya strengthened HAT surveillance in 12 health facilities in six historically endemic counties to act as sentinel sites. They were equipped with diagnostic tools and had their clinical personnel trained on diagnostic procedures, including the most sensitive and practical tests for r-HAT.
The country also actively monitors the control and surveillance of tsetse flies and animal trypanosomiasis, both within and beyond the historical HAT endemic areas, supported by the national veterinary health authorities and the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC).
“This key milestone reflects Kenya’s efforts and commitment over many years, as a collaboration between national and county governments, national research institutions, development partners and affected communities,” said Dr Patrick Amoth, Director General of Health.
“The country remains fully committed to sustain the quality of care and surveillance in line with WHO’s recommendations”, he affirmed.
Supported by WHO and partners, including FIND, Kenya’s HAT elimination programme will now implement a post-validation surveillance plan to detect any potential resurgence or reintroduction of transmission.
HAT is the second neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in Kenya: the country was certified free of Guinea worm disease in 2018.
“I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Kenya joins the growing ranks of countries freeing their populations of human African trypanosomiasis. This is another step towards making Africa free of neglected tropical diseases”.
HAT a vector-borne disease caused by the blood parasite Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of tsetse flies that have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals. Rural populations dependent on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting are most at risk of exposure.
It is transmitted only on the African continent. The disease exists in two forms, gambiense and rhodesiense. The rhodesiense form, which is found in eastern and southern Africa, is the only one present in Kenya. It is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (r-HAT) and progresses rapidly, invading multiple organ,s including the brain. Without treatment, it is fatal within weeks.
WHO pledged to continue supporting ongoing monitoring in previously affected areas and maintains a stock of medicines to ensure rapid treatment of possible future cases..
“This success was made possible by the Ministry of Health’s leadership, the dedication of health workers in areas at risk and the support from key partners. WHO is proud to have contributed to this achievement and encourages all stakeholders to remain involved in post-validation monitoring, ” said Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO Representative to Kenya.
Progress in global HAT elimination
A total of 57 countries have eliminated at least one NTD. Of these, 10 (including Kenya) have successfully eliminated HAT as a public health problem. The other countries that have reached this milestone are Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda.
In the hands of a Kenyan farmer, every seed represents hope. Hope for a bountiful harvest, for school fees, for meals on the table, and dignity earned through honest work.
But that hope is being silently eroded by counterfeit agrochemicals that promise growth but deliver ruin.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority’s 2025 national surveys have now confirmed a growing crisis. Agriculture is the most affected sector when it comes to counterfeiting in Kenya.
According to our consumer-level survey, an overwhelming 89.16% of respondents identified agricultural inputs—especially pesticides and herbicides—as the most frequently counterfeited products they encounter. That figure is not just a statistic—it’s a warning.
It reveals a threat deeply embedded in our food systems, affecting millions of farmers and consumers alike.
In the rural markets of Bungoma, Meru, Machakos, and Makueni, farmers often unknowingly buy fake inputs packaged to look like trusted brands. These products, sold cheaply through unregulated channels, often contain no active ingredients or harmful compounds that damage crops and soil. What follows is not just crop failure—it’s financial loss, food insecurity, and frustration that leads many farmers to give up.
The firm-level survey echoed these concerns. Agrochemical companies and licensed distributors reported mounting challenges posed by fake products infiltrating their supply chains and retail networks.
They flagged significant losses—not only in profits but in trust. Farmers lose confidence in genuine products when counterfeits fail. Retailers lose credibility. The entire value chain suffers. And when that happens, it is not just private businesses at risk—it is national food security.
Yet perhaps the most troubling insight from the ACA survey is this: awareness is high, but reporting remains low. Over 83.85% of Kenyans surveyed acknowledged that they are aware of counterfeit products.
Most can even identify the sectors where they’re most common. But when it comes to taking action, too many stay silent. The survey revealed that 36.08% of consumers who encounter counterfeit goods don’t report them because they believe nothing will be done.
Another 26.86% simply don’t know where or how to report. This gap between knowledge and response is allowing counterfeiters to thrive, especially in areas where enforcement is limited and informal trade dominates.
The distribution of counterfeit agrochemicals mirrors the problem. A majority—60.48%—are sold through informal traders, kiosks, and street vendors. These are everyday points of purchase for many farmers, especially in remote regions.
Without strong regulation, these networks act as pipelines for fake goods, seamlessly mixing them into the legitimate supply chain. By the time the damage is done, it’s often too late for farmers to recover.
The national cost of counterfeit trade is enormous. Kenya is estimated to lose Ksh 153 billion annually to counterfeit goods across sectors. Agriculture is among the most severely impacted.
But the losses extend beyond the economy. They touch the life of the farmer whose crops fail despite best efforts, the child whose school fees go unpaid after a bad season, and the family that goes hungry because fake products failed them.
This is not a fight ACA can win alone. We are working with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and law enforcement to intensify market inspections, seize illegal products, and prosecute offenders. But we know enforcement is only part of the solution.
That is why we are rolling out public awareness campaigns, partnering with farmer cooperatives, and investing in mobile-based product authentication technologies that allow farmers to verify products before purchase.
Still, to truly turn the tide, we need all hands on deck. Manufacturers must secure their packaging and track their supply chains. Agrodealers must stock responsibly and educate their customers. Community leaders must help spread awareness. The media must highlight farmers experiences. And consumers—especially farmers—must speak out and report suspicious goods.
Agriculture is the heartbeat of Kenya. It feeds our nation, fuels our economy, and sustains our rural communities. To safeguard it, we must root out the menace of counterfeit agrochemicals with urgency, innovation, and shared responsibility.
Let us not wait for another planting season to pass before we act. The data is clear. The stories are real. And the time for action is now.
Dr Mbugua is the Executive Director of Anti-Counterfeit Authority
On behalf of the Government of Kenya and the Ministry of Gender, Culture, and Children Services, we honour and celebrate the life of Dr. Phoebe Asiyo, a true hero and icon in the realm of childcare, welfare, and protection.
Her legacy, shaped by love, generosity, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of children, remains both profound and enduring. Her impact cannot be overstated.
Dr. Asiyo emerged as a formidable force in the evolution of Kenya’s childcare and welfare systems, leaving an indelible mark on our social history.
As Chief Executive Officer of the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, (CWSK) the sole organisation mandated to provide care and protection services for children at the time, she played a transformative role during the pivotal decade beginning in 1969.
Through her visionary leadership, foundational laws such as the Children and Young Persons Act (Cap 141), the Adoption Act (Cap 143), and the Guardianship of Infants Act (Cap 144) were operationalised.
These acts laid the groundwork for the modern legal framework that protects our children today. Dr. Asiyo was instrumental in institutionalising the concept of adoption, which was then unfamiliar in the Kenyan context.
Her approach demystified and localised the process, making it accessible and functional within the country’s social and judicial systems.
Her lasting impact was also evident in the professionalisation of social work, ensuring a more structured, efficient, and compassionate response to the needs of vulnerable children across Kenya.
Dr. Phoebe Asiyo receives a cheque during her tenure as the Child Welfare Society CEO in 1970. Photo| FILE
She championed the need for a trained social workforce, supporting the School of Social Work and ensuring that those caring for children were well equipped for the task.
At a time when the nation’s social fabric faced immense challenges, Mama Phoebe strongly advocated for placing children in families through Alternative Family Care. Her commitment to helping children find families through guardianship, foster care, and adoption touched countless lives and remains dear to our hearts. As a nation, our childcare, welfare, and protection systems are deeply indebted to the foundational work of Mama Phoebe. Kenya’s children are better because of her life’s work.
We celebrate this remarkable life and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. Farewell, Dr. Phoebe Muga Asiyo. You will be eternally cherished.
The author is the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services
The National Police Service (NPS) has launched an investigation into alleged child sexual exploitation in Maai Mahiu, Nakuru County, following disturbing revelations aired in a BBC Africa Eye documentary titled “Madams: Exposing Kenya’s Child Sex Trade.”
In response to the documentary, a multi- agency team comprising specialized officers from the Anti- Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit(AHTCPU) has been dispatched to the area. According to the NPS, statements have already been recorded from three individuals of interest, which immediate action has been taken to identify, rescue and support affected children.
“These are urgent and grave matters and we are treating them with the seriousness they deserve,” the NPS said in a statement issued on 6th August 2025.
The operation is being spearheaded by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), operating under Article 53(1) of the Constitution and Section 8 of the Children Act (2022). The DCI has pledged a comprehensive probe into all cases of child trafficking, sexual exploitation, and related offenses.
“Our commitment is to guarantee that every child grows up safely and has the opportunity to thrive. We must reaffirm this fundamental tenet: our children are our future,” the statement added.
The police also addressed the issue of online child sexual exploitation, noting that Kenya has established a dedicated forensic cybercrime unit. This unit -the first of its kind in Africa -is linked directly to INTERPOL’S International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database. Staffed by cybercrime experts, it works closely with the International Victim Identification Network (VIN) to track and rescue children depicted in exploitative online content.
The NPS is calling on the public to support ongoing investigations, urging anyone with information to report to the nearest police station, a law enforcement officer, or through confidential toll-free lines: 999, 112, or the FichuakwaDCI platform.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children and ensuring perpetrators of exploitation are brought to justice.
Residents of Kajiado West Sub-County are grappling with an outbreak of Kala Azar, a parasitic disease that has spread across much of the semi-arid region.
Kala Azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is caused by the Leishmania parasite and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies. While some individuals show no symptoms, others may experience fever, significant weight loss, and swelling of the spleen or liver.
At Oltepesi Health Centre, over 150 cases have been reported since January, with 15 new cases recorded in July alone.
Young boys herding livestock in the open fields are the most affected.
Many parents have expressed concern over the high cost of treatment in private facilities, often exacerbated by misdiagnosis.
In response, the county health department has urged residents to seek free treatment at Oltepesi Health Centre and Kajiado County Referral Hospital to avert deaths.
In the scorching heat of Tana River County, located in the Coast Region of Kenya. where temperatures soar past 42°C and drought is a constant threat affecting both livestock, plants and humans. One young researcher is working to bring back livestock insurance for the communities.
In a recent African Food Fellowship (AFF) graduation ceremony in Nairobi, I met Felix Odhiambo, a member of Cohort 4 of the AFF who was also graduating from the program which is a leadership program building a new generation of changemakers across Africa’s food systems.
His journey is not only inspiring but also serves as an inspiration to pastoralist communities across the country, who have long struggled to protect their livestock during both droughts and floods
From a concept about consumer agroecology to a groundbreaking livestock insurance reform shows how the right ideas, backed by the right support, can transform lives.
“The Fellowship has opened up countless opportunities for me,” says Odhiambo. “From refining my idea to exploring funding possibilities, it has changed how I see and act within food systems.”
Odhiambo began his fellowship with a relatively simple goal: educate consumers on organic food choices. “Most interventions focus on farmers, but I believed we also needed to shift consumer mindsets toward agroecology,” he recalls.
But his work as a researcher at the University of Nairobi, tied to a European Union project, helped him discover a bigger, more urgent problem in Kenya’s drylands, the collapse of a crucial livestock insurance scheme for pastoralists that was in existence but later halted by the current administration.
When Green is not more Green
The Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) program was once a lifeline for communities in Tana River. Introduced during President Kibaki’s tenure, IBLI used satellite technology to detect drought by measuring vegetation greenness (through a tool called NDVI) and provided payouts to pastoralists when fodder levels dropped.
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is a satellite-based greenness indicator used in IBLI to trigger payouts. “The system measures greenness, but green doesn’t always mean edible or nutritious for livestock. A place may look green from space, but the vegetation might be thorny, fibrous, or unpalatable.”
“The issue wasn’t the idea but the precision. NDVI would show a region as green, but on the ground, the vegetation might be thorny, fibrous, or inedible for animals,” Odhiambo explains.
That is where he saw a gap he could fill. Armed with his training and field experience, Odhiambo launched a ground-truthing project of collecting real-time, on-the-ground data to calibrate NDVI readings more accurately.
“By combining satellite data with what’s actually happening in the field, we can bring the insurance model back, this time with more accuracy and fairness,” he says.
His research has now caught the attention of Absa Bank, actuarial scientists, and the County Government of Tana River, all of whom are collaborating to revive IBLI.
Felix Odhiambo, a researcher at the University of Nairobi and a Cohort 4 graduate of the African Food Fellowship (AFF), during the graduation ceremony in Nairobi/Photo by AFF
A Fellowship Fueling Big Ideas
Felix’s transformation from a passionate researcher to a national policy influencer is part of a growing movement under the African Food Fellowship, which has trained over 150 fellows in Kenya and 120 in Rwanda since 2020.
Managed by Wasafiri Consulting and Wageningen University & Research, and funded by the IKEA Foundation, AFF nurtures leaders across the agriculture ecosystem.
“We realized the biggest gap in food systems wasn’t a lack of knowledge or funding but leadership,” says Brenda Mareri, AFF’s Kenya Country Lead. “Our Fellows come from all walks of life including researchers, farmers, social media influencers, government officers and they learn to act systemically and collaboratively.”
While the Fellowship is a paid program (at $1,000 per participant), subsidies and scholarships are available for those who can’t afford the full fee. The value, Mareri says, lies far beyond training.
“We’re offering lifelong access to networks, collaboration, visibility, and growth. That’s what keeps our nearly 200 alumni coming back,” she adds.
Each Fellow completes a 10-month leadership program, covering modules such as foresight thinking, systems mapping, and policy engagement. Many use these tools to shape real-world projects, known as Food Systems Actions (FSAs).
“We’ve seen fellows help counties like Nakuru and Turkana redesign food security strategies. Others have worked on fisheries policy, food waste innovations, and carbon-financing through agriculture,” Mareri shares.
From Learning to Leading
Odhiambo is now preparing policy briefs, co-developed with stakeholders, to present to the National Treasury. His ultimate goal? Relaunch a more robust, evidence-driven livestock insurance model that can serve thousands of pastoralist families.
And he’s not stopping there. He’s actively engaging partners and financial institutions, calling for broader collaboration on youth-led solutions in climate resilience and dryland agriculture.
“Jesus fed 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves, and it was a young boy who offered them. Youth have what it takes. We just need the platform and support,” Felix says with a smile.
To support emerging leaders like Odhiambo, AFF recently launched the SM Action Fund, offering small grants to help alumni pilot their projects. While not a funding body, the Fellowship serves as a catalyst in helping ideas attract the partnerships and financing they need.
“We don’t just train and let people go. We keep supporting them, creating platforms where real partnerships and breakthroughs happen,” says Mareri.
Tech investors like Kris Senanu have already stepped in to mentor fellows. At AFF’s graduation ceremony this year, he shared, “The startups that succeed are those whose founders collaborate. The solution might be sitting two seats away dare to ask.”
AFF has bold ambitions. By 2030, it hopes to have at least 1,000 food system fellows across Africa, embedding leadership in every ministry, NGO, and grassroots movement that touches food.
“We want people to ask, ‘Are we leading in a way that truly shifts systems?’ That’s how we’ll transform agriculture, nutrition, and livelihoods,” Mareri says.
For Odhiambo, that transformation is already underway in the sweltering drylands of Tana River, where pastoralists are slowly regaining hope.
“The work has just begun. But with the right leadership, data, and collaboration, we can build food systems that protect lives and livestock,” he says. “Youth-led ideas work. Let’s invest in them. Let’s act on the data. And let’s transform our food systems not in the future, but now.”
Food security remains one of Africa’s defining challenges and opportunities. Despite significant agricultural potential, Africa continues to face widespread undernourishment.
In East Africa alone, nearly 64 million people are currently food insecure, according to the World Food Programme. Climate change, population growth, urbanization, and supply chain disruptions have only intensified the urgency for scalable, sustainable solutions.
What is increasingly clear is that the path to feeding the continent will not come solely from global imports or external models. It will emerge from within, driven by local innovation, strengthened regional value chains, and a new generation of African talent reshaping how food is grown, processed, and consumed.
In Kenya and across East Africa, food companies are reimagining the role of science and technology in tackling nutritional deficiencies and affordability challenges. Capwell Industries, for example, has launched fortified rice products enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, aiming to combat micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable populations in Kenya.
Similarly, Unga Group, one of Kenya’s oldest food companies, continues to play a pivotal role in fortifying staple foods like maize and wheat flour to enhance nutritional value. On the alternative protein front, Nairobi-based startup InsectiPro are pioneering the use of black soldier fly larvae to produce sustainable protein sources for both human consumption and animal feed, addressing both food security and environmental concerns
Reformulation is also gaining momentum. It involves redesigning foods to be healthier without compromising taste, affordability, or cultural preferences. This includes reducing sugar, salt, and saturated fats while enhancing protein and fibre content. The Ministry of Health’s push for sodium reduction in processed foods, alongside industry-led reformulation initiatives, is already shaping product development in the Kenyan market.
The government also launched the National Agroecology Strategy for Food System Transformation (2024–2033), aiming to promote sustainable agricultural practices, enhance biodiversity, and improve resilience to climate change. This strategy encourages the adoption of traditional knowledge systems and ecosystem-based approaches to agriculture, aligning with global sustainability goals.
At the same time, indigenous ingredients like sorghum, millet, baobab, and moringa are gaining renewed attention, not just as heritage crops, but as modern tools in building food resilience. These crops are more adaptable to changing climates, nutrient-rich, and ideal for developing cost-effective fortified foods that meet local needs.
Another vital piece is food preservation. East Africa loses an estimated 30–40% of its food post-harvest, largely due to inadequate storage and processing infrastructure. New preservation technologies, including clean labels, shelf-life extension solutions and smart packaging, are helping to reduce this waste and extend the viability of nutritious foods in rural and urban markets alike.
Critically, innovation also means investing in people. Strathmore University, through its Agri-Food Innovation Centre (SAFIC), and Kerry jointly helped facilitate the convening of over 100 influential leaders from Bio Foods Products to Kentucky Fried Chicken (Kenya) at the inaugural CEO Forum, aimed at driving sustainable growth, regional collaboration, and innovation in Africa’s food and beverage sector. A key takeaway from the forum was the growing emphasis on strengthening local research and development capabilities, not only to meet current market demands but to proactively anticipate future nutritional shifts driven by urban lifestyles and demographic changes.
As part of this broader ecosystem, firms such as Kerry have responded by establishing local innovation centres and building partnerships with African manufacturers, researchers, and farmers. These efforts are designed to support the development of healthier, more sustainable products tailored to regional needs.
For example, through its advanced taste modulation technologies, the organization helped reformulate a zero-sugar energy drink to deliver the same sensory appeal as full-sugar versions, demonstrating how science-led innovation can meet changing consumer preferences without compromising on taste or health goals. Such innovations are key to shaping a food system that is resilient, inclusive, and future-ready.
Africa can feed itself and the world. But it will take more than technology. It will demand bold collaboration, more substantial investment in homegrown talent, and a greater commitment to science-led, locally relevant innovation.
Now is the time for governments, industry leaders, development partners, and innovators to come together to accelerate the transformation, to have one innovation, one partnership, and one meal at a time.
The hallowed halls of institutions like Alliance Girls’ High School are meant to be citadels of excellence and safe havens for Kenya’s brightest young minds. They represent aspirations and promises of a brilliant future.
However, recent investigative reports from Alliance have lifted a dark veil on a deeply unsettling practice: the grooming of vulnerable girls by male teachers and bewildering silence from those entrusted with their care and protection. This betrayal is not an isolated incident – evidenced by the outpouring of similar stories from different corners of the country – but a chilling symptom of a national crisis that visibly shakes the foundation of trust upon which our education system is built.
The core of this crisis lies in a particularly subtle form of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV): grooming. This is not the brute force we often associate with abuse. Instead, it is a slow, calculated process of deception and manipulation.
It begins with a teacher singling out a student, offering special favours, academic help, or small gifts. He becomes the “cool,” “understanding” mentor, building a bond of trust and secrecy. This is followed by inappropriate text messages, compliments that cross the line, and conversations that slowly warp a student’s perception of a healthy student-teacher relationship. By the time the abuse occurs, the predator has psychologically disarmed the victim, making her feel complicit, confused, and terrified to speak out.
Kenya has a robust legal framework designed to protect children. Article 53 of the Constitution guarantees every child the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, and all forms of violence. The Children Act (2022) and the Sexual Offences Act (2006) provide stringent penalties for defilement and other sexual crimes against minors.
The challenge, however, lies in prosecuting the subtle act of grooming. The law is better equipped to handle physical evidence and overt acts, not the psychological warfare that precedes them. How does a prosecutor prove criminal intent in a series of “kind gestures”, “prayer meetings,” or “private conversations”? This legal gap provides a fertile ground for predators to operate with impunity.
There is a need for legal interpretation for such kind of abuse, and a definition of what constitutes consent for those above 18 years. It is also critical to acknowledge that while these reports and incidents have focused on girls, our boys are not safe either, remaining vulnerable to grooming by predators of any gender.
A significant part of the problem is a profound gap in sensitization and awareness. Many learners do not recognize grooming for what it is. They are taught about “stranger danger,” but not the danger posed by a trusted authority figure. This is where shared responsibility becomes paramount, echoing the wisdom of the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Parents and guardians cannot simply abdicate their protective role to boarding school administrators. They must have ongoing, open conversations with their children about healthy boundaries, consent, and how to identify and report inappropriate behaviour from any adult.
Similarly, schools must move beyond tokenistic life-skills lessons. They have a fundamental responsibility to integrate comprehensive, age-appropriate education on all forms of SGBV, including non-violent and psychological abuse. Students must be taught the red flags of grooming and be assured of confidential, non-judgmental reporting channels that they can trust.
To truly protect our children, we must overhaul our reporting and response mechanisms. The current system, where a report is often handled internally to “protect the school’s reputation,” silences victims and enables perpetrators. We need a mandatory, coordinated reporting and response protocol that spreads out the responsibility for action, documents actions taken and keeps a clear record of data per school. A report of abuse in a school should automatically trigger a multi-agency response involving the Ministry of Education, the Teachers Service Commission for immediate disciplinary action, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for a swift probe, and child protection services to provide the learner with psychosocial support. This approach removes the burden from a single school principal and ensures a survivor’s path to justice is supported and clear.
The revelations from Alliance Girls’ and other schools are a painful but necessary wake-up call. Our children deserve to learn in environments free from fear, manipulation and abuse. It is time for the entire village—parents, educators, law enforcers, and policymakers—to unite, seal these gaps, and build an impenetrable shield of protection around every learner. The sanctity of our schools and the future of our children depend on it. It takes a village to raise a child.
Agnes Rogo the author is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a human rights expert and Managing Attorney at Women’s Link Worldwide.
The Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating hunger in Kenya during a food distribution exercise in Moyale, Marsabit County.
Addressing residents at Baraza Park in Moyale town, CS Ruku emphasized that the food distribution initiative is part of a broader government outreach targeting Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), aligned with Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, which mandates his Ministry to lead special programmes and humanitarian interventions in underserved regions.
“We have enough food for Kenyans, and that’s why I’m in Moyale today, to ensure our people are reached and no one goes hungry,” he said. “This is a continuous effort by the government to safeguard lives and dignity, especially in drought-affected Counties.” He added.
CS Ruku noted that 23 Counties classified as ASALs have been disproportionately impacted by prolonged drought and food insecurity. He affirmed that the government has mapped out these regions and will deliver food and emergency supplies to the most vulnerable households.
The CS was accompanied by local and regional leaders, including Moyale MP Prof. Jaldessa Guyo, Marsabit Women Representative Hon. Waqo Naomi, Garissa Women Representative Hon. Amina Uudgoon, North Horr MP Hon. Adhe Wario, and Mandera South MP Hon. Haro Abdul. Together, they echoed the government’s call for unity and continued public support.
“From improved infrastructure to better access to social services, this government is walking the talk,” said Ruku, urging residents to remain steadfast in supporting President William Ruto’s administration. “We are focused on delivery, not distractions. The opposition has nothing substantive to offer but rhetoric.”
As part of the government’s plan to decentralize services, the CS announced the upcoming Huduma Centre in Moyale, a long-awaited facility expected to significantly ease access to essential government services such as ID registration, birth certificates, and social support programmes.
“We are bringing services closer to the people,” he said. “A Huduma Centre here in Moyale and other areas will transform how locals interact with government and access public services.”
CS Ruku also took time to open a newly completed administration block at St. Mary’s Mixed Day Secondary School, a project funded by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) under the leadership of Prof. Jaldessa Guyo.
He reaffirmed the government’s education agenda, highlighting the employment of 76,000 teacherss since President Ruto took office, with an additional 24,000 to be hired in January.
“The government has built Junior Secondary School (JSS) classrooms across the country. The new university funding model is designed to support learners from humble backgrounds and ensure inclusive access to higher education,” Ruku added.
He further praised President Ruto’s leadership for stabilizing the economy and placing the country on a recovery trajectory. “The President has managed to steer our economy away from collapse. We are now on the right path as a nation.”
In terms of infrastructure, the CS highlighted key projects in the North Eastern region, particularly road construction and connectivity, which he said are vital to unlocking economic opportunities and regional integration.
“We are building roads to connect communities, expand trade routes, and create jobs. These are long-term investments that will transform this region,” he said.
The event was part of the Ministry’s ongoing Special Programmes Outreach, branded under the “Huduma Smart Serikalini” initiative and themed “Fresh Approach, Timeless Impact.” It aims to reinforce the government’s presence in marginalized regions and build resilience through coordinated support in food security, human capital development, and essential services.
The Marsabit mission marks another milestone in the government’s broader humanitarian and development agenda, reaffirming its promise to leave no Kenyan behind.
