By Rodgers Omondi, Busia
The Free Pentecostal Fellowship in Kenya has rolled out a cross-border initiative dubbed Linda Mtoto aimed at protecting children’s rights in Busia County, Kenya, and neighboring Busia District in Uganda.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement meeting attended by officials from both countries, the church’s Secretary General Bishop John Kitur said the programme seeks to combat rising cases of child abuse, trafficking, labor, and defilement in the border region.
“We have been running a gender-based violence programme, but in the process, we realized many of our children are victims of trafficking, child labor, and sexual abuse,” Bishop Kitur said. “This gave birth to the Linda Mtoto initiative which now champions children’s rights in both Busia Kenya and Uganda.”
He noted that the porous nature of the Kenya-Uganda border had made it difficult to curb child rights violations from one side, prompting the need for a joint cross-border approach.
“You cannot solve the problem from one side. Children are trafficked from Kenya into Uganda, which presents a serious challenge. By involving both sides, perpetrators will have no safe haven in either Busia Kenya or Uganda,” he explained.
Kitur called on churches and faith-based organizations to take a more proactive role in championing the rights of vulnerable groups, especially children.
“We’ve engaged government officials from both countries to support our efforts. The porous border is a challenge, but with cooperation from all stakeholders, we believe we can make a difference,” he added.
Everline Achieng, the project coordinator, said the initiative would increase community awareness around child protection, as both regions face similar challenges including early marriage, teenage pregnancies, and child labor.
“Our aim is to educate parents and communities on children’s rights and why they must be protected. We are already seeing results through an early warning system we developed in Kenya,” she said.
She noted that trained community members are now able to report suspected cases of abuse through the system, which sends instant alerts to assigned government officers for immediate response.
Rafael Osacha, the Senior Probation Officer in Busia District, Uganda, welcomed the initiative, saying it reinforces ongoing efforts by both governments to protect vulnerable children.
“Cross-border collaboration is critical. By working together and supporting state actors, we can strengthen the system and uphold children’s rights,” Osacha said.
He called on parents to be vigilant and committed in reporting violations: “If cases are not reported or referred, especially child trafficking, it becomes very difficult for authorities to intervene.”
George Osinde, a stakeholder from Tororo, Uganda, said poverty was a major driver of child abuse in the region.
“Many children are forced into labor or opt to work due to harsh living conditions. This makes them vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. Through the Linda Mtoto project, we can address these root causes as a united front,” Osinde stated.
The initiative will cover a 10-kilometre radius along the Kenya-Uganda border, focusing on community sensitization, stakeholder engagement, child empowerment, and legal enforcement in line with the laws of both countries.
