Transformation of Child Helpline 116 Gains Momentum as Government Pushes for Accessible, Integrated and Decentralized Child Protection Services



macharia David 

The government's efforts to transform and scale up Child Helpline 116 have gained momentum following a high-level stakeholder engagement led by Principal Secretary Carren Agengo, where participants outlined key reforms aimed at strengthening child protection services across the country.
The meeting, held under the theme "Transforming Child Protection through Accessible, Integrated and Decentralized Child Helpline Services," brought together government agencies, county representatives, development partners, and communication stakeholders to chart the way forward for the national child protection platform.

Speaking during the session, PS Agengo commended stakeholders for their commitment and valuable contributions, noting that the initiative has now moved from planning to implementation.
Among the key resolutions was the urgent review of the Child Helpline 116 budget to align it with the expanded scope of services and ensure the sustainability of planned reforms. Participants agreed that adequate financing will be critical in delivering a responsive and efficient child protection system.

The meeting also resolved to elevate child protection as a priority agenda at the Intergovernmental Summit through collaboration with the Council of Governors (CoG). Stakeholders noted that counties play a central role in safeguarding children's welfare and must be fully integrated into the national response framework.
To enhance accessibility and efficiency, participants agreed to leverage existing county infrastructure, including established county call centres, as part of the expansion strategy for Child Helpline 116. This approach is expected to reduce operational costs while extending services closer to communities.

Stakeholders further emphasized the need to strengthen ICT systems, improve connectivity, and develop an integrated service delivery model that links national and county child protection structures. Data management and compliance with the Data Protection Act also featured prominently, with the Data Protection Commission expected to play a key role in safeguarding sensitive children's information.

PS Agengo called on development partners and private sector stakeholders to commit resources and technical support in specific areas such as technology, communications, infrastructure, and service delivery to accelerate implementation.
As part of the next phase, stakeholders agreed to finalize a revised budget framework, engage communication partners on infrastructure support, and deepen collaboration with county governments already operating call centres. Further consultations will also be held with the Data Protection Commission to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The resolutions will be presented at upcoming national and intergovernmental forums to secure broader political support and resource mobilization.

Ultimately, the initiative seeks to transform Child Helpline 116 into a fully accessible, integrated, and decentralized child protection service, capable of providing timely assistance to vulnerable children in every county while strengthening coordination between national and county governments.

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