ANPPCAN Kenya is implemeting two projects on building the capacity of law enforcement officers on child rights and child protection issues. One project is targeting the Local Authorities welfare officers and the second one is targeting the police officers in Kenya.

1. Capacity building for Local Authorities in child protection

Since the enactment of the children Act 2001, it has been realized that although local authorities were mandated to implement welfare services for children, there is knowledge and skills gap for effective implementation.

This bore the need for capacity building and training of local authority officers on Child Rights and protection and their role under the Children’s Act 2001.  ANPPCAN Kenya with support from the Royal Netherlands Embassy initiated a programme to that effect in 2005.

The training seeks to promote the laws and practices which contribute to the fulfilment of the rights of children and the youth. Specifically the Project seeks to::

• To enhance the understanding of child’s rights and protection for local authorities (LA);
• To equip LA with the ability to provide legal aid in cases of child abuse and neglect;
• To build the capacities of LA in case management and resource mobilization;
• To enhance the ability of LA to manage programs and operational development.

Since the role out of the Project training and  sensitization workshops for the local authority officers have been held in Nairobi , Kisumu, Mombasa, Embu, Kericho and Bungoma  with participants drawn from various local authorities surrounding the City, Municipal and County councils.

The second Phase of the project takes off in May 2007 targeting other Councils among them Elddoret Municipal Council.

2.Capacity Building for the Police Officers on Child Protection

An ongoing training for the police and other key actors in the Juvenile Justice System in child protection is being conducted by ANPPCAN Kenya in collaboration with Save the Children Sweden. It targets 400 police officers and has been running from December 2003 to end in December 2006.

The training is aimed at equipping police officers with skills and knowledge on their role in child protection. It will also enhance the protection of children within the Juvenile Justice System by utilizing and instilling modes of restorative justice to the officers.

The training planned to have a multiplier effect, covered topics on child rights, child abuse and neglect, the Children’s Act 2001, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children (UNCRC), African Charter for Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and diversion.

The training is intended to equip police officers with child friendly skills and change their attitudes towards children who come into their custody. The first workshop was carried out in 2003 as a Training of Trainers (TOT) for senior police officers in five districts.

The project is in its final phase this year. The first training workshop this year was held in Machakos on 18^th and 19^th of May 2006 for 25 police officers drawn from Machakos district.

The Programme seeks to enhance better protection of children in the Juvenile Justice System (JJS) through improved service delivery and capacity building of key actors within Kenya . 

• Objectives of this programme include:
• Sensitization of actors within the JJS;
• Fostering linkages and collaboration among the police and other actors within the JJS;
• Equipping law enforcement officers with skills for handling children as provided for by the Law;

To provide diversion and the establishment of CPUs (Child Protection Units) in five districts within Kenya . 

Achievements of the project include

• Training of over two hundred and fifty (250) police officers on their role in child protection
• Establishment of Child Protection Units (CPU) in three police stations in Nairobi
• Development of Draft guidelines on diversion.