A Commitment to Ending Child Labour through the CAPSA Project

This visit marked a pivotal moment in the collaboration between ILO and the Mombasa County government, aimed at eradicating child labour and trafficking, and strengthening the county’s capacity to implement effective policies.

During his visit, Agossou met with key officials, including Mombasa's Governor and the County Secretary, to discuss the Mombasa Call to Action 2024 against Child Labour. This local initiative aligns closely with the global priorities outlined in the Durban Call to Action 2022, a comprehensive framework to combat child labour worldwide. Agossou praised the Mombasa government's commitment, highlighting that the county's efforts are timely and essential in addressing the root causes of child labour in the county.

“The Mombasa Call to Action 2024 is a significant commitment to addressing the most pressing issues in child labour in the county. This initiative speaks to all the priority areas under the Durban Call to Action 2022, ensuring that Mombasa aligns with global standards while tailoring solutions to local needs,” Agossou stated.

Key Highlights of the Visit

© ILO

© ILO

One of the most notable outcomes of the visit was the discussion around the development of the Mombasa County Policy on the Elimination of Child Labour. This policy, which is currently under development with the technical and financial support of the ILO through the CAPSA project, is poised to be the first standalone county-level policy of its kind in Kenya, though other counties are also working hard to finalise their county polices. Agossou emphasized the importance of this policy in establishing key structures and programs that will effectively address child labour across the county.

In addition to the policy, the ILO will support the establishment of a sub-committee on child labour within the existing County Children’s Advisory Committee. This sub-committee will serve as a crucial framework for policy-making, enforcement, implementation, and monitoring at the county level.

Agossou also announced the upcoming creation of the County of Mombasa Service Provider’s Directory of Stakeholders on Child Labour and a Referral Pathways Guide. These tools are expected to enhance coordination among service providers and offer valuable resources to the community, victims of child labour, and survivors needing assistance.

“These tools will support better coordination among service providers and provide vital information to those affected by child labour and human trafficking, ensuring that they receive the care and protection they need,” Agossou noted.

Strengthening Partnerships and Mobilizing Resources

Throughout the discussions, Agossou reiterated the ILO's commitment to supporting Mombasa County in its fight against child labour. He assured the Governor and his team that the ILO would continue to provide capacity building, technical guidance, and resources to ensure the successful implementation of the Mombasa Call to Action.

“ILO will continue supporting the county to implement this policy. We will provide capacity building for the committee, tools in terms of guidelines and directives, and support data collection to ensure that the call to action translates into concrete steps,” Agossou said.

A Unified Effort Towards a Child Labour-Free Mombasa

© ILO

© ILO

Mombasa County Secretary, Jeizan Farook, echoed the commitment of the county government, affirming that they are steadfast in supporting efforts to eliminate child labour. Farook highlighted the collaborative approach taken with the ILO and the Mombasa County Assembly to develop and implement appropriate policies that address the menace of child labour.

“We have already documented ten key areas of focus, which are now awaiting implementation. These include developing county policies, regulations, and legislation to eliminate child labour by 2024, while ensuring all children have access to free, compulsory, quality education and vocational training,” Farook shared.

He also emphasized the importance of expanding social protection schemes for vulnerable households and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to prevent the worst forms of child labour by promoting decent work for adults and youth.

The CAPSA project, with its focus on building capacity and creating robust frameworks, stands at the forefront of this effort, paving the way for a brighter future for the children of Mombasa.