NAIROBI, Kenya — The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has launched the Guide to Child-Friendly Interviewing, a manual aimed at strengthening the protection, dignity, and participation of children within Kenya’s criminal justice system.
The guide is designed to standardise how children are interviewed when they appear as victims, witnesses, or are in conflict with the law, with the aim of preventing further trauma during investigative and prosecutorial processes.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Secretary of Prosecution Services Alloys Kemo said the ODPP remains committed to child-sensitive prosecution, noting that minors require specialised care at every stage of the justice process.
“This guide provides a structured, humane, and rights-based approach to interviewing children, ensuring that justice is not only done, but is done in a manner that protects the best interests of the child,” the DPP said in a statement.
The ODPP said the manual will foster consistency and professionalism by equipping prosecutors and investigators with trauma-informed practices tailored for child-related cases. Officials added that this approach is intended to improve both child protection outcomes and the quality of evidence presented before courts.
Legal and policy context
The initiative aligns with Article 53(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, which requires the best interests of the child to be a primary consideration in every matter concerning children. It also reflects provisions under the Children Act, 2022, which obligate state institutions to adopt child-sensitive procedures within justice systems.
Internationally, the guide mirrors standards set under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, both of which Kenya has ratified.
Stakeholder support
The launch was welcomed by justice sector stakeholders and development partners. Jessica Ryckman, Executive Director of Lawyers Without Borders, described the manual as a critical milestone in advancing child-friendly justice.
“The quality of justice outcomes is directly linked to how children are engaged,” Ryckman said, noting that the guide promotes interviews conducted with empathy and respect for children’s rights.
In a statement read on her behalf, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Children Services said the guide aligns with national and international child protection frameworks and reinforces the shared responsibility of state actors to shield children from secondary victimisation.
Witness Protection Agency (WPA) Director Jedida Waruhiu said the guide supports the agency’s mandate by promoting safe and non-intimidating environments for child witnesses.
“When children feel safe and understood, they are more likely to provide accurate information,” Waruhiu said.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) also welcomed the guide, saying it reinforces professional ethics and the need for continuous training for advocates and prosecutors handling child-related cases.
Implementation
Developed with support from Lawyers Without Borders, the guide will be rolled out nationwide through capacity-building programmes targeting prosecutors, investigators, and child protection officers.
The ODPP said the rollout is intended to entrench a child-centred justice system and improve inter-agency coordination across the sector.
The launch forms part of broader justice sector reforms aimed at aligning prosecutorial practice with constitutional safeguards and international child protection standards.
