BY SHABAN OMAR
Around 200 Community Child Protection Committee (CCPC) volunteers in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County have received bicycles to enhance their mobility and efficiency in responding to child protection cases.
The bicycles were provided through a collaboration between World Bicycle Relief and Kids Care Kenya, in partnership with the Kwale County government.
According to Kids Care Kenya’s Executive Director George Baya, this donation is a pilot project designed to support community volunteers in their challenging roles by ensuring they can reach vulnerable children and families faster and more effectively.
“We believe that by addressing the transportation challenges these volunteers face, we can improve the protection and support services for children in this region,” said Baya.
He said the CCPC volunteers play a crucial role in Kwale County, especially in areas like Lunga-Lunga where cases of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation are common. 
He said their responsibilities include identifying cases, providing emergency support, linking affected children and families with essential services, and conducting awareness campaigns on children’s rights.
However, the rugged and remote terrains of Kwale have often hindered their efforts to respond promptly to calls for help.
Baya said the bicycles are specifically designed for durability and reliability in rural settings that can effectively assist the CCPC in dispensing their roles.
According to Baya, each bicycle is expected to help the volunteers cover long distances more easily, enabling them to respond swiftly to emergencies, attend to child protection cases in remote areas, and provide continuous support to families.
The program to support vulnerable communities in Lunga-Lunga was launched by the Kids Care organization several years ago, with a primary focus on building a healthier, empowered, and resilient community through various development programs.
Regional Director of World Bicycle Relief in East Africa Maureen Kolenyo said the organization is committed to working with various stakeholders to provide community workers with reliable transportation.
She said the partnership aims to empower grassroots volunteers in their efforts to support vulnerable children in remote areas.
“We’re dedicated to ensuring these community workers have dependable transportation. Our goal is to keep the bicycles in good condition,” she said.
Kolenyo said they have trained local community members as mechanics and established a shop stocked with spare parts, so any breakdowns can be promptly addressed.
World Bicycle Relief has earned a strong reputation for providing high-quality bicycles to underserved communities, operating on the belief that mobility is a powerful catalyst for change.
Kolenyo said by equipping volunteers with reliable bicycles, the organization helps overcome transportation barriers, enabling improved healthcare, education access, and child protection services.
She said World Bicycle Relief and its partners aim to create sustainable, long-term impacts in vulnerable communities.
Kwale County Children Officer Zaphania Apoko welcomed the initiative, recognizing the benefits of improved mobility for CCPC volunteers.
He said the partnership strengthens the government’s commitment to ensuring every child in Kwale is safe and protected.
Apoko said the bicycles will largely support the government’s efforts to combat gender-based violence and child abuse.
He said that the bicycle program will positively impact the community’s perception of child protection, as it will enable volunteers to reach even the most remote areas to conduct awareness campaigns.
Apoko noted that both government and NGO-led child protection agencies would benefit from reduced transportation costs, allowing them to improve the quality and reach of their work.
Chief officer of the Department of Social Services and Talent Management Riziki Mwasoza said the county has made great strides in making sure child protection services are enhanced at the grassroots.
Mwasoza termed the bicycle donation as critical in promoting the fight against child abuse.
She said with bicycles the volunteers have a higher chance of greatly reducing the vice and protecting children and women who are mostly vulnerable.
Mwasoza said the Kwale government, in partnership with the Children’s Department, is working on developing a comprehensive child protection policy aimed at enhancing the safety and welfare of children in the region.
Mwasoza, a policy draft has already been prepared and will soon be submitted to the county assembly for review and approval.
She said that the anticipated policy, distinct from the previously approved Gender Act, will empower the county to establish safe houses and lead targeted advocacy programs focused solely on child protection.
“This policy is specifically designed for children and should not be confused with the Gender Act, which applies to all,” she said.
