Kilifi County Hosts National Leaders as Preparations Begin for International Children’s Day 2025
She reiterated their commitment to safeguarding children and pursuing policies that provide an enabling environment for their development.
The reception marked a significant moment when the county moved to host one of the most important annual events on children's welfare and rights. Photo/Courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
Kilifi County has officially received top national government officials ahead of the 2025 International Children’s Day celebrations set to take place tomorrow at the Karisa Maitha Grounds. Led by Hon. Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Social Services, the high-profile delegation arrived in the coastal county in the company of senior officers from various national departments.
Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa Chibule, who represented the County Government of Kilifi, welcomed the Cabinet Secretary and her team; this marked the beginning of final preparations for the national event. The reception marked a significant moment when the county moved to host one of the most important annual events on children’s welfare and rights.
This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “My Day, My Rights”, a call to action that calls on national and county governments, families, and communities to make protection and empowerment of children a priority. The theme emphasizes giving children spaces to express their views, ensuring their safety, and guaranteeing equal opportunities for growth and development.
While addressing the welcoming ceremony, Deputy Governor Chibule showed pride in Kilifi being selected as the venue for the 2025 national event. She reiterated their commitment to safeguarding children and pursuing policies that provide an enabling environment for their development.
“Hosting this year’s national celebration is an honour for Kilifi. Our county government is unwavering in its dedication to the protection of the rights and dignity of every child. Children must grow in environments that make them valued, secure, and supported,” she said.
Thousands are expected to join the events targeted at children of different backgrounds, parents, educators, representatives of civil society, local community leaders, and development partners. The organizers have planned a series of activities to raise awareness about the rights of the child, promote child participation, and increase community responsibility to protect their minors.
The Government of Kilifi County, represented by the County Department of Gender, Culture and Social Services, has been closely collaborating with the State Department for Children Services in putting everything in order for the event. This includes providing intensified security arrangements, logistical support for visiting delegations, child-friendly recreational zones, and opportunities for children to express their talents and views.
For instance, officials have observed that International Children’s Day enables the nation to reflect on the gains realized in the protection of children, to identify emerging challenges, and to recommit to policies and programs that empower the younger generation. As Kilifi readies to host the nation’s children and other stakeholders, the county leadership made it known that the event was not just a celebration but a reminder of the collective responsibility to observe the rights of children on a daily basis.
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