Kwale Judiciary Orders Closure of Seven Children’s Homes Over Child Abuse Allegations

The Judiciary in Kwale County has threatened immediate closure of seven children’s homes in Lunga Lunga Constituency after revealing that the institutions are unregistered, poorly managed, and allegedly engaged in illegal activities, including child trafficking and exploitation.

The announcement was made during the Children’s Month celebrations held on Sunday, November 30, in Lunga Lunga, where the court warned that no institution may house minors without complete government registration.

Judge Nikuni Lucas Lepares stated that children fall under the protection of the State, stressing that any home keeping children without legal approval is automatically a threat to their safety.

“You cannot run an unregistered home unless you are running an illegal business, children are protected by the law,” the judge added.

Magistrate Leah Kabaria revealed during the same event that the courts in the region have handled 72 cases of sexual assault involving children in recent months, an indicator of deepening vulnerability among minors in the area.

Kabaria added that 27 children have already been removed from their homes after officers discovered they were either not being cared for, neglected, or being forced into early marriages.

Judicial officers alleged that the seven unregistered homesin Lunga Lunga have been receiving,housing, and transporting children without proper documentation, a violation that raises fears of illegal cross-border activities.

Authorities expressed concern that some homes could be linked to child trafficking, irregular movement of minors, exploitation of vulnerable children, and the use of celebrations and donor appeals as cover for illegal operations.

Officials emphasised that only registered, audited, and compliant children’s institutions will be allowed to operate going forward.

As Kenya marks Children’s Month,the Judiciary has urged the public, religious institutions, and NGOs to report suspicious sheltersor individuals claiming to run unlicensed children’s homes.

The crackdown is expected to extend to other parts of Kwale and neighbouring counties in the coming week.