African Boy Child Network – Spearheading Sustainable Transformation of the Boy Child

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Advocacy

This program seeks to strengthen the capacity of ABNET beneficiaries  and the public and to empower them with knowledge and skills to effectively address issues affecting the general positive growth of the boy child such as school dropouts, drugs and substance abuse, violent extremism, gender based violence, single parenthood, HIV & AIDS  among others.

This is done by sharing and mainstreaming of information, training sessions, strategic and inter-gender and inter-generational dialogues and sharing of experiences and strategies from diverse communities. Through this program ABNET also engages in networking and alliance building.

SAFETY IN SCHOOLS BEWARE!!!!!

The UN convention on the rights of the child
Declaration of the rights of the child. In 1959 the UN general assembly adopted the declaration of the rights of children which defines children’s rights to protection . Education, healthcare, shelter and good nutrition.
Kenya 2010 constitution article 53 recognizes the right of all children to be protected from abuse , neglect harmful cultural practices and all forms of violence.
Inhuman treatments and punishment and hazardous or exploitative labour.
The current happening in our Kenyan schools goes contrary to the commitments by the UN convention on the rights of the child and our 2010 constitution.
It’s has been one major case one after another.
Grade 8 pupil ( 12-14 yrs) at BItundugusu primary school was beaten by his teachers which led to swelling of his scrotum, subsequent surgery and removal of his testicle….
( Investigation ongoing nobody knows till when)
A form one (13-15 yrs) from Chemase secondary school dies after teacher beat him to health for cheating in physics exam (investigation on going…????)
A standard eight boy (12-14yrs) from Nyamninia primary school in Gem sub county has been assaulted by teachers for failing to attain 400 marks. ( Investigation on going)
Grade 4 boy ( 8-10yrs) from Riangombe primary school was left with horrific injuries after teacher gave him 107 cane strokes ( investigation ongoing???)
Minors subjected to engage in indecent behaviour through vedio by 6 teachers from Itumbe DOK primary school (investigation ongoing)
Never ending sodomy cases of minors
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY? Is it firm enough to stop this animatic behaviour of teachers?
Is the current indiscipline of students warrant BRUTAL RESPONSE BY TEACHERS?
When did failing to attain certain marks become a crime, why have some of our teachers become animals to our children? Do they have children of their own?
Are we exposing our children to mentally unstable teaching fraternity?
Is the environment we have exposed our children contributed to their retrogressive behaviour?
At what point should teachers, parents, government and other stakeholders agree to take the blame and end violence against children for mistake the adults have deliberately created or exposed them to.
All these cases are ” investigation ongoing”
It’s very difficult to explain how perpetrator’s of these evils still roaming freely while some children are 6 feet under and other permanently damaged.
Do we as a country need special and effective investigation officers for children and equally effective courts to hear and determine these cases in maximum of 90 days.
Can all the perpetrators inflicting permanent damage to children be imprisoned for life and those that violet children to death equally be transitioned to the next life.
An adult violating a child in whatever form has absolutely no right to live among people.

CONDUCTING INTERGENERATIONAL DIALOGUE

In the recent past , Kenya has experienced a moment that many hoped for but never saw it fast and furious.
The GenZ had been accused of their lay back approach when it comes fully participating in the political space and more importantly advocating for good governance and social responsibility to which their future depended on it.
Their decision to demand of their government to be accountable challenged the status quo and Kenyans are now aware the importance of accountability not just for present generation but future of our children.
The aforementioned therefore induces the need for intergenerational dialogue and transition from old to the young.
Conducting dialogue can open communication between the past, present and future which can results to breaking conflicts dynamics arising from generational differences and gaps as well as cycle of inherited conflicts.
As witnessed the difference of demands by young people tend to be an immediate need unlike the older who believe in “change with time” mentality, which has actually led us to the current economical crisis.
It’s therefore important to understand difference in age gaps can be misunderstood in certain subjects , lifestyles, experiences,and meaning of being accommodative.
It’s time that the older generation let go and accept that “the youth are no longer future leaders but today’s. ” They owe it to their children to make things better for their own children and generations to come.

WALKING FOOTBALL

Regular and fun exercises are the most effective ways for seniors to maintain and even improve both physical and mental well being. The introduction of walking football in Kenya will do away with high intensity sessions and totally embrace the ever fun football game in slow motions.
We met Mr Afrique from Rwanda who has been instrumental in making walking football embraced in Rwanda and even participated in the first world cup through walking football international.
Next year is another year, another opportunity for Kenya to embrace the sport and take a notch higher and effectively participate on a global scale.
Kiarie Mwangi through walking football federation, we are embracing this beautiful sport for our young male adults, young female adults and our seniors.
Pauline Katampoi first senior female team.
See you in Ngong soon.

CITIZEN ENGAGEMENTS WITH GOVERNMENTS THROUGH MEMOS AND PETITIONS

Training of Ward Climate Change Committes- Kiambu County

Kenyan democracy continues to grow as more citizens become aware of their role in propelling good governance and social accountability.
When the citizens feel agrieved with the slow or zero implementation of agreed development projects, they have a right to engage the specific duty bearers through writing memos and petitions.
However, very few citizens have the knowledge to engage in such a mode of engagement.
As players of the civic space , we are conducting an online training on writing the same to equip citizenry for effectively and productive engagement with heir respective governments.
African Boychild Network is the current chairperson of Kiambu County Empowerment Network-Kcen-Cso Network and has organised this critical component to enhance citizens participations in governance.
Feel free to join into the conversation
Tonight 8.00pm to 9.30pm
Special gratitude to our facilitator Izzoh Isaiah expert in budget processes and a firm supporter of devolution.
Join the link below.

FALSE ACCUSATIONS IS A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

Outrage Over Global Epidemic of False Allegations

Kenya false allegations have been on the raise with zero interventions or justice to the victims
GLOBAL FACTS
December 9, 2024 – Around the world, false allegations of abuse are facing strong criticism as egregious injustices have come to public attention (1):
United States: The explosion in false allegations in the U.S. began with the infamous Duke lacrosse case in 2006. The 2022 defamation case brought by actor Johnny Depp against Amber Heard was an important milestone. In recent years, the number of false allegation cases and subsequent defamation damage awards have increased dramatically (2).
Spain: In September, Madrid City Hall Councilor Carla Toscano warned, “False allegations exist.…The results are men with their lives destroyed, men whose right of honor is harmed, children of living fathers who are turned into orphans, and broken families…It could happen to you.” (3)
Australia: Two university students were dating when the woman decided to break off the relationship to pursue other romantic interests. But she had second thoughts, asking him to take her back. When he declined, she began to send him lurid messages such as “Let’s hook up please I’m begging you” and “I have just called the police because you keep ignoring me.” (4)
When he continued to disregard her, she accused him of rape, resulting in his incarceration. Last week the innocent man was freed on appeal. Commentator Bettina Arndt expressed her disgust with the woman’s antics, revealing, “this creature had the effrontery to turn up to visit him in prison, full of remorse, claiming she had no idea this would happen to him.” (5)
Argentina: Public revulsion over false accusation has turned into a social movement where the Women’s Front Against False Allegations has waged a national campaign that included rallies in 14 provinces, media efforts, and lobbying of lawmakers (6).
On November 20, the Argentinian Senate convened a hearing that featured the tearful testimony of 15-year-old Ana Jazmín Carro (7). The girl recounted how feminists had convinced her that as a woman, “no man should tell her what to do.” So she falsely accused her father of sexually molesting her. Five years later, the innocent man still languishes in jail (😎.
In response, the Argentinian Justice Minister Cúneo Libarona declared, “This a paradigmatic case of gender ideology took control of innocent mind to turn them into puppets…We’re going to eradicate the gender ideology from the justice system.” The following week, the Argentine Senate issued an official opinion to curb the false accusations epidemic.
Indeed, feminists openly advocate for their use. American Teen Vogue columnist Emily Lindin casually declared, “If some innocent men’s reputations have to take a hit in the process of undoing the patriarchy, that is a price I am absolutely willing to pay.” (9)
A YouGov survey conducted in eight countries found many millions of persons report being falsely accused of abuse (10):
India: 19%
Australia: 10%
United States: 10%
Canada: 8%
Argentina: 7%
United Kingdom: 4%
Poland: 4%
Spain: 4%
Since 2021, International Falsely Accused Day has been observed around the world on September 9. (11) DAVIA urges lawmakers, prosecutors, family judges to take action to curb the epidemic of false allegations.
Citations:
Kenya

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY

It was such a honour to hear Hon. John Kipruto Malel CECM ICT,E-GOVERNMENT, YOUTH AFFAIRS, GENDER AND SPORTS, County Government of Kericho speak to us on his programs on deliberating bringing the boys into the gender agenda.
Special thanks to Wezesha Jamii Active for joining and supporting us on this event.
Happy international men’s day
Honoured to have celebrated this IMPORTANT DAY University of Kabianga – Kenya
Thank you gender club for this invite

Kenya

MALE ENGAGEMENT AND INCLUSION STRATEGIC PLAN UNDER THE STATE DEPT OF GENDER AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.

The concern of modern boys and men in the gender agenda has been an elusive dream.
Our society firmly believes that men and boys should never be seen to be weak and therefore their concerns and both social economic are always swept under the table.
How do we get the right strategic document that speaks and enhances the plight of boys and men
Today African Boychild Network was honoured to part of a team of experts to contribute to the male engagement and inclusion strategic plan.

 

KIAMBU COUNTY ACTION PLAN ON PREVENTION AND COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

African Boychild Network has been a committed member in the space of PCVE.
We were instrumental in the drafting of Nairobi County Action on PCVE.
As we all acknoledge terrorism is a real threat, it is unfortunate that our young people continue to find themselves radicalized.
Kiambu County is not different from all the counties, key pillars still remain being economic, political, media, education, law enforcement and Ideology.
Engage citizenry keeping in mind the ever changing dynamics is key in achieving our overall object on Violent Extremism as a Country .
Joining Kiambu County Engagement Forum was important as we continue enhancing awareness on Violent Extremism and youth in conflict with the law in our organisation focus areas.
Thank you SOWED Kenya for the invite.
International

SUBMISSION OF MEMORANDA ON DIVISION OF REVENUE (AMENDMENT )BILL 2024

Kiambu County Empowerment Network-Kcen-Cso Network is proud to have submitted this MEMORANDA aimed at protecting devolution.African Boychild Network being the current chairperson of the Kiambu county empowerment Network is in total support of devolution. It’s our responsibility to ensure monies are allocated effectively to cater for many devolved functions .
The Division of Revenue Act for 2024 became law after Presidential Assent on 10th June 2024
The law allocates Kshs. 400.117 Billion to the County Governments which should be divided among the 47 Counties subject to the Counties Allocation of Revenue law for the year, which however was not assented to by the President. It further allocates Kshs. 7.852 Billion to County Governments for Equalisation Fund.
Instead of assenting to the Counties Allocation of Revenue Bill 2024 which would pave way for division of the Kshs. 400.117 Billion among the 47 County Governments, the President returned to Parliament the Bill following his rejection of the Finance Bill in response to the Generation Z led demonstrations. Furthermore, the National Assembly has introduced a Bill to amend the Division of Revenue Act 2024.
Known as the Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2024 (National Assembly Bill No. 38 of 2024), this amendment Bill proposes to reduce funding to the County Governments from revenue collected nationally to Kshs. 380 Billion from the Kshs. 400.117 Billion in the act, a reduction of about KES20 Billion.
The effect of the failure to assent to the County Allocation of Revenue Bill and the proposals in the Division of Revenue Act 2024 are two-fold namely:
Unnecessary delay in the transfer of equitable share of the revenue collected nationally to County Governments, and;
Service delivery in the counties have been affected and will be deepened if the proposals in the Bill are adopted by the Parliament or if the two houses of Parliament fail to agree on the proposals.
We therefore take it upon ourselves on behalf of kiambu residents to submit this MEMORANDA for consideration with resident signatures
The Division of Revenue Act 2024 was based on the Audited Accounts of Revenue for the 2019/20 Financial Year being the most recent approved by the National Assembly yet the current period is 2024/25 Financial Year. This implies that counties will receive their share of the revenue collected nationally four years back because the National Assembly is yet to approve audited reports for the 2020/21 FY, 2021/2022 FY, 2022/2023 FY and 2023/2024 FY. When the framers of the constitution introduced the provision for equitable sharing of the revenue collected nationally between the two levels of government in Article 203 of the Constitution, they did not mean that counties should be treated unfairly in the Division of Revenue process. National Assembly owe Kenyans a constitutional duty to ensure timely approval of the audited accounts of revenue.
The National Government has continued to perform several functions of the County Governme
Based on the above analysis, it was therefore a patriotic call for Kiambu County Empowerment Network to submit MEMORANDA with practical proposals
Supporting the intended devolution agenda is KEY.