The government is committed to continue advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs) that focus on well well-being of children.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government will facilitate the promotion of better health, education, and social protection of the children.
He said it is time for Africa and the world to reflect on how to cultivate and foster a peaceful environment and abet conflicts that lead to humanitarian crises that affect children.
“Focusing on the well-being of our children validates our moral obligation to provide an enabling environment for them to grow into healthy and productive citizens.
Children are our hopes and our future. Every parent, community, and country must protect their rights, including their right to quality healthcare, education, and social well-being.” he said.
He cited Sudan, where the humanitarian situation has affected many school-going children, with Africa having at least 98 million children on average disadvantaged by conflicts and crises in various countries.
“Recently we gathered in Paris to try to raise USD 4 billion to try help mitigate the crisis in Sudan.
This being a reflection of resources that are collected but instead of being channeled to providing improved healthcare, boost agriculture, support education and development the finances are channeled towards mitigating crisis and addressing conflicts.” he regretted.
Adding that “ Some schools have now become relief centers, some have been closed and taken over by military and warring factions in the conflict-prone regions and the challenges are very devastating.”
Mudavadi further regretted that such situations have greatly affected operations like school feeding programs, and the provision of vaccines to children among other crucial programs targeting children’s well-being.
“It is unfortunate that good gestures in resource mobilization for prosperity are now competing with financing conflicts,” remarked Mudavadi.
He pointed out that if such resources could be channeled to proper utilization in peaceful environments then the lives of many people could have had positive transformation and great impacts moving into the future.
He was speaking when he presided over the official opening of the global operations and financing meeting of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), that is underway in Nairobi.
Mudavadi, also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs however commended the strides made in the country in improving the metrics and crucial data information that aids in advancing the formulation of key policy frameworks in the sectors that deal with children well-fare in the country.
“Investing in children is the largest commitment in human capital development.
Advances in healthcare, education, skills development, and nutrition, for our children and our people, enhance their overall well-being and productivity.
It enables them to realize their fullest potential and contribute to our economic development.” he said.
“Regular interactive networks should inform the Government and stakeholders on the priority interventions necessary to improve the services geared towards improving the well-being of our children,” he added.
Mudavadi expressed the government’s profound appreciation to UNICEF, for choosing Kenya as the host of its global office, adding that the decision to hold this year’s global operations and financing meeting in Nairobi is a big honor to Kenya.
“This exemplifies the strong partnership and mutual trust that Kenya and UNICEF enjoy with each other.
Together, we foster global cooperation and drive positive change, particularly in child-focused sustainable development,” he said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary alluded to the important role that finance operations play in achieving critical goals in advancing children’s welfare.
He noted the significance of sound financial and operational frameworks in the success of organizations like UNICEF.
He urged the participants in the meeting to always embrace best practices in financial management, safeguarding resources and ensuring they are channeled towards their intended purposes.
“Efficient, transparent, and accountable financial management is not just a necessity but a cornerstone for sustainable development.
Fiduciary accountability ensures that resources are utilized effectively and ethically, focused on the desired outcomes to impact on the beneficiaries,” said Mudavadi.
“Let us collectively strive to enhance our financial and operational strategies, setting a solid foundation for the realization of UNICEF’s goals and ultimately, the wellbeing of children across the globe,” he added.
Mudavadi said through collaboration governments and organizations like UNICEF can champion financial sustainability, transparency, and accountability working towards a brighter, sustainable future for the children.
