Kenya Judiciary leads national call to end child labour and protect every child’s dream

© Patrick Kinyua Ndwiga / ILO

© Patrick Kinyua Ndwiga / ILO

NAIROBI (ILO News) – Imagine a childhood defined not by classrooms and play, but by labour and exploitation. Globally, for over 160 million children, this is their reality. But in Kenya, a powerful coalition is saying, "No more!"

The story of this turning point unfolded at the third Employment and Labour Relations Annual Symposium and Exhibition (ELRASE III), hosted by Kenya’s Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC). Under the theme “Elimination of All Forms of Child Labour and Access to Justice,” the event was more than a conference - it was a national conversation, centered on the most vulnerable voices.

The symposium’s most powerful moments came from children themselves. Through essays and dialogues with judges and policymakers, they shared a simple, profound plea: the right to be children. Their stories transformed complex legal frameworks into a shared moral imperative.

Kenya’s judiciary, employers, workers’ unions, and government ministries signed a joint communiqué, a unified national commitment to action.

“This is a testament to what we can achieve when we stand together for our children,” said the Chief Justice of Kenya. “The judiciary is committed to ensuring justice is not a distant concept, but a tangible reality for every child.”

Employers pledged to create decent work for adults so that families are not forced to rely on child labour. The justice system is embedding child-sensitive processes. Ministries are fast-tracking digital tools to report exploitation and strengthen social protection for the most vulnerable, including refugee children.

This collective effort positions Kenya as a continental leader in the fight to protect childhood.

Kenya’s journey, marked by this symposium, demonstrates that ending child labour requires a whole-of-society approach. It is about building a future where every child’s potential is nurtured, not exploited.

Kenya’s leadership comes at a critical moment. With only months left to meet the 2025 deadline for SDG Target 8.7, the world still counts over 138 million children trapped in labour. As a Pathfinder Country under Alliance 8.7 since 2024, Kenya is now firmly positioning itself as a regional leader in this fight.

The symposium’s agenda ranged from enforcing ILO Conventions 138 and 182 to the challenges of child protection in refugee camps and the role of technology in preventing exploitation. Survivors’ testimonies and children’s competitions placed young voices at the heart of the dialogue, underscoring the principle that solutions must begin with those most affected.

© Patrick Kinyua Ndwiga / ILO

© Patrick Kinyua Ndwiga / ILO

ELRASE III was more than a symposium. It was Kenya’s collective declaration that children belong in classrooms, not workplaces. And that, together, the nation is determined to keep that promise.