Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu

Kiambu County has been selected to host this year’s World Children’s Day celebrations on November 20, in recognition of its efforts to improve early childhood development and child welfare.

The National Council for Children’s Services (NCCS) has proposed Kirigiti Stadium as the venue for the national commemoration, which will be coordinated by the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services through the State Department for Children Services.

In a letter to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, NCCS Chief Executive Officer Abdinoor S. Mohamed said the county had been selected to host the event, which seeks to raise awareness of issues affecting children and promote their welfare.

The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Prioritising Children Now, Shaping Our Future”.

Mohamed requested the county government’s collaboration in planning and organising the event. He also asked Wamatangi to nominate county officers to work with the County Coordinator for Children’s Services on preparations.

The council said Kiambu’s performance in Early Childhood Development (ECD) and its ongoing child welfare initiatives informed the choice of venue.

According to the concept note, the county has distinguished itself through its implementation of early childhood development programmes guided by the Nurturing Care Framework.

The framework emphasises health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, safety and early learning as key components of children’s development.

Kiambu’s reported achievements include the establishment of 545 model Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres.

The county has also introduced a comprehensive feeding programme that provides porridge, boiled eggs and milk to 52,000 learners. The programme is complemented by the provision of free learning materials.

The council further cited Kiambu’s recent launch of a Situational Analysis on Care Reform as evidence of its commitment to strengthening child welfare systems.

The county is also developing a children’s policy intended to unlock resources and provide sustainable support for children.

The planning committee said Kirigiti Stadium offered a central and accessible venue for the celebrations.

Hosting the event in Kiambu is expected to showcase the country’s progress in early childhood development, highlight ongoing care reform efforts and give other counties an opportunity to learn from Kiambu’s approach to nurturing care and child-focused policy development.

World Children’s Day is commemorated annually on November 20. The United Nations observance marks the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted on the same date in 1959.

The annual event raises awareness of children’s rights and welfare and promotes efforts to address challenges affecting children around the world.

This year’s national commemoration will bring the focus to the importance of prioritising children’s needs and investing in their development.