Child Labour
Building safer futures for Kenya's Children
ILO and the Government of Kenya strengthen collaboration to accelerate action against child labour through stronger child protection systems, social protection, and decent work.
24 July 2026
Nairobi, Kenya (ILO news) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of Kenya have reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting children from child labour and advancing social justice through stronger child protection systems, coordinated action, and sustainable development solutions.
During a courtesy visit to Ms. Karen Agengo, Principal Secretary, State Department for Children Welfare Services, the ILO pledged its continued support to Kenya's efforts to eliminate child labour and ensure every child enjoys a safe, protected, and dignified childhood.
The ILO delegation, led by Ms. Caroline Mugalla, Director of the ILO Country Office for the United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, included Ms. Hellen Rintari, National Project Coordinator of the ACCEL Africa Project, and Mr. Chris Agunga, National Project Coordinator of the UN Joint Programme on Social Protection and Child Protection.
The discussions underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships that place children at the centre of national development while addressing the underlying drivers of child labour through integrated social protection and decent work interventions.
Ending child labour requires more than enforcement. It requires coordinated investments in child protection, quality education, social protection, sustainable livelihoods, and decent work for adults.
Through our partnership with the Government of Kenya, we are strengthening systems that protect children today while creating opportunities that prevent child labour tomorrow.
Ms. Caroline Mugalla
The meeting highlighted several strategic priorities that will accelerate Kenya's progress towards eliminating child labour in all its forms.
These include advancing evidence-based policymaking through the ongoing qualitative child labour study jointly supported by the State Department for Children Welfare Services and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); strengthening collaboration between child protection and labour administration systems to improve prevention, referral, and response mechanisms; supporting the localization and implementation of child protection policies at the county level; building the capacity of child protection officers and frontline service providers; and expanding multi-sectoral partnerships that tackle the root causes of child labour through social protection, sustainable livelihoods, and decent work opportunities.
These efforts are expected to strengthen national systems that safeguard vulnerable children while improving coordination among institutions responsible for child protection and labour administration.
The engagement also reaffirmed the shared commitment of the ILO and the Government of Kenya to advancing Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, which calls for immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and eliminate child labour in all its forms.
Through flagship initiatives such as the ACCEL Africa Project and the UN Joint Programme on Social Protection and Child Protection, the ILO continues to support Kenya in developing integrated and sustainable solutions that strengthen families, expand access to social protection, promote decent work, and create enabling environments where children can learn, grow, and realise their full potential.
As Kenya continues to strengthen its child protection systems, the partnership between the ILO and the Government demonstrates how coordinated action, evidence-based policies, and inclusive social dialogue can advance social justice and ensure that every child is protected from child labour and has the opportunity to thrive.