By Dorothy Musyoka
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights of children through the internal validation of the Guide to Child-Friendly Interviewing in Kenya.
According to the ODPP, the guide is designed to transform how prosecutors and other justice actors engage with child victims and witnesses, ensuring that legal processes uphold empathy, professionalism, and the child’s well-being.
The validation comes against the backdrop of the implementation of the Children Act, 2022—a transformative legal framework that amplifies the voice of the child and strengthens protections for minors.
The newly validated guide is closely aligned with the Act, positioning the ODPP as a leading force in the shift toward trauma-informed, child-sensitive justice.
Speaking during the validation meeting on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, Deputy Head of the Conventional and Related Crimes Department Robert Oyiembo underscored the critical role prosecutors play when dealing with children related cases.
“Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society,” said the DPP.
“As prosecutors, we are entrusted with the dual responsibility of delivering justice and doing no further harm. This guide helps us meet that responsibility with both empathy and professionalism,” he added.
Developed in collaboration with Lawyers Without Borders, the guide provides a comprehensive framework covering four key stages: pre-interview preparation, the interview process, technology use, and post-interview procedures.
It advocates for thorough pre-assessments to understand a child’s emotional and communication needs, the use of age-appropriate and neutral language, and the integration of video technology to reduce repeated trauma.
The DPP also emphasized the need for systemic reform, calling for standardized child-friendly interviewing across Kenya, expanded training in trauma-informed practices, multi-agency collaboration, and policy alignment.
“Justice for a child does not mean a conviction at any cost. It means ensuring their mental, emotional, and physical well-being is preserved throughout the legal process,” noted the DPP.
Additionally the DPP called on prosecutors and all justice stakeholders to commit to specific reforms aimed at making child-sensitive justice a reality.