Natasha shacaina mumbi and Gregory Wachira Nyambua have been sworn in as Governor and Speaker respectively of the Kiambu County Assembly.
The Two teenagers who emerged winners after elections were held by the children from 12 Sub Counties took oath of office and will now represent the children at the County Children Assembly for the next two years.
Speaking during the oath taking of the children leaders, Stanley Rotich , A children officer from the National Government office said that the normal titles this year have now changed and that instead of Chairpersons and Secretary generals will now be President while the National assembly leaders will be known as clerks.
“Here at the County you will now have a chairperson as the Governor, who will have a deputy, and the Secretary General will now be the Speaker, ”, he said noting that the children themselves during the national event held in Nairobi are the ones who voted for the change of names.
Rotich when taking the Children leaders through the process and how the assembly works urged the children leadership to ensure they complete their two year term saying it is normally a challenge if one decides not to finish their term.
The Kenya Children Assemblies provide an opportunity to communicate the Government policies and development plans down to children in the village and get feedback through the devolved structures.
Similarly, the recommendations and outcomes of debates at the Children Assemblies are channeled to the County Government and the Central Government.
“ I would like to urge the assembly members who have taken oath of office to fully participate and articulate the children’s issues and also in turn share lessons learnt with their fellow children”, he said .
The Children leader thanked the children delegates for having faith in her to play the role of Governor in the assembly saying she will collaborate with all stakeholders to address matters of children.
She specifically noted the issue of drug abuse and early pregnancies among children which has affected a lot of young people in Kiambu , saying these were some of the issues that as children they would want the government to address.
Speaker Wachira thanked the delegates for the confidence they had in him as a speaker and promised them to fulfill their mandate, ensure that there is order during the debates relating to the children in order to make Kiambu a better place for the children.
Kiambu County Children’s Coordinator Rose Mbarine said that the county is in the process of developing a Child Protection and Social Policy to safeguard the rights of children and the vulnerable in the society.
“ I want to urge stakeholders to support this venture “, she noted and at the same time asking the children’s leadership to take care of each other and articulate their rights.
During the meeting the children tried out a mock assembly debate while at at the same time learning on how to carry themselves at the chambers and also the role of each of the leaders
Participation, along with the right to survival, development and protection make the four principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Kenyan Constitution in the chapter on bill of rights also envisages aspects of Child participation in the rights for children. The Assembly runs under the motto ‘Maisha Yetu, Wajibu Wetu”.
By Wangari Ndirangu
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