An assessment of the role of community based child protection mechanisms in Kilifi County, Kenya

Child defilement continues to plague global societies including Kenya. This prevalence is on the rise despite the existence of robust and concrete legal and policy frameworks on child protection in the country. Criminal investigation of defilement is vital and integral in ensuring effective implementation of the laws by ensuring perpetrators are held to account. It is imperative that child protection systems especially at community level are strengthened through comprehensive policy diffusion so as to enhance protection especially from to sexual abuse.The objectives of this study were to establish the factors that increase the vulnerability of children in Kilifi County to child defilement, to examine the role of the community based child protection mechanisms in the criminal investigation of child defilement in Kilifi County as well as propose appropriate strategies to enhance the efficacy of the community based child protection mechanisms. The study adopted a qualitative exploratory research design through which thirty five (35) participants were interviewed.The study findings established that: several factors including cultural practices and poverty increase the vulnerability of children to defilement especially in the rural context that CBCPM play a crucial role in as far as victim support, access to medical services and evidence management are concerned. These are all vital elements in the criminal investigation of defilement. The study recommends the formalization of CBCPM structures as well as policy diffusion of all efforts in the management if child defilement so as to facilitate effective investigation of the violations