The National Day of the African Child 2026 was marked with vibrant celebrations held on the 16th of June at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County, bringing together learners, communities, government representatives, and development partners in a shared commitment to advancing children’s rights and well-being.
Among the key participants was ActionAid Kenya, which joined stakeholders under the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services and the State Department for Children Services in marking the day. Discussions focused strongly on improving access to education, child protection systems, and universal water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
This year’s commemoration highlighted the urgent need to ensure that all children have access to clean water, decent sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools. Stakeholders noted that inadequate WASH infrastructure continues to affect learners’ health, dignity, and school attendance, particularly for girls.
Reaffirming its commitment, ActionAid Kenya emphasized its ongoing support for child rights programming, including strengthening boys’ and girls’ forums that empower children to speak out and advocate for improved services in their schools and communities. The organization also continues to support the construction and rehabilitation of sanitation infrastructure, including ablution blocks, to ensure learners study in safe, clean, and dignified environments.
Learners at the event shared powerful reflections on the realities faced in schools. One such voice, Romanus Jared, a Grade 8 learner from Apuoche School in Homa Bay County, captured the urgency of the situation, stating:
“No child in Kenya should ever have to choose between thirst and illness. Clean and safe water must reach every school and every home. No Kenyan girl should have to stay home for five days every month because her school cannot protect her dignity. Sanitary towels and private latrines are not luxuries. They are rights. No more children should be fetching water instead of sitting in a classroom learning. Every school gets a functional handwashing station with soap. Not as a luxury. But as the most basic defense against disease.”
His message underscored the importance of ensuring that access to water, sanitation, and hygiene is treated as a fundamental right essential for dignity, health, and uninterrupted learning.
The event concluded with a strong call to duty bearers, including government agencies, development partners, and community leaders, to accelerate investment in child-centered services. Stakeholders urged sustained action to ensure that every child learns in a safe, inclusive, and enabling environment where rights are protected and dignity upheld.
As the National Day of the African Child 2026 was observed in Homa Bay County, the overarching message was clear: safeguarding children’s rights, improving sanitation infrastructure, and strengthening education systems require urgent and collective commitment from all stakeholders.
Author: Ezra Kiriago, Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya.