Navigating Child Protection Challenges in Nairobi’s Mukuru Kwa Njenga Informal Settlement

Abstract

Child abuse is a global problem. Community-based Child Protection Structures, which are one of the strategies to deal with this problem, have been riddled with challenges like poor enforcement. The study aimed at assessing communitybased child protection structures in Mukuru Kwa Njenga informal settlements in Nairobi County. The study employed a crosssectional survey research design to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. A sample size of 280 participants was selected using both purposive sampling and random sampling techniques. Qualitative data was analysed and presented verbatim as narrations. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 25. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were carried out. These were presented in tables and graphs. The study revealed that more than four-fifths, 81%, of the respondents had witnessed child maltreatment in Mukuru Kwa Njenga. However, many of the child abuse cases were not reported and or acted upon as new ways had been put in place to avoid different child abuse cases being detected and acted on. Several reasons were advanced for the non-action on child abuse. Some of the respondents indicated that people resorted to other means of dealing with the problem of child abuse. Others did not bother to report, for they felt nothing would be done. There was also the fear of revenge from the family of the perpetrator. The study recommends that the government should strengthen existing policies that advocate for appropriate child protection and enhance community participation to improve the effective implementation of CBCPSs.