For many schoolgirls in Marsabit, school holidays can conceal serious dangers. During these breaks, girls face risks such as early marriages, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), unprotected early sex, and non-consensual encounters. These dangers are worsened by deep-rooted patriarchal norms that impose heavier household chores on girls, sometimes forcing them into roles like house helps. Meanwhile, their brothers often enjoy more leisure and freedom. To address these issues, the Mama Guyo Foundation has organized Gaddis Gamme (Girls Camps) across various Marsabit sub-counties.
These mentorship camps provide a safe space where girls aged 12 to 15 can access peer counseling, professional training, and guidance from successful female role models. The aim is to motivate the girls, reinforce their values, build life skills, and empower them to stand up for and protect their rights. The latest camp saw forty girls from ACK Maikona, a partner church of Compassion, participate in a program run in collaboration with the Marsabit County Government. Workshops led by girl-child mentors and professional counselors offered practical knowledge and emotional support. Compassion International contributed by covering costs and ensuring full participation for girls in its programs.
The event concluded with a graduation ceremony, during which attendees proudly received their certificates. Notable attendees included Bernadette Loloju, CEO of the Anti-FGM Board, and Her Excellency Alamitu Jattani, First Lady of Marsabit County, who personally handed out some certificates. Their presence emphasized the importance of collective efforts to end harmful practices and promote girls’ wellbeing. The Gaddis Gamme Girls Camp is more than just an event; it’s a lifeline. By equipping girls with knowledge, mentorship, and confidence, the program helps break cycles of abuse and inequality, paving the way for a safer, brighter future for young women in Marsabit County.
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The 2026 National Church Leaders Conference brought together church leaders, Compassion International Kenya leadership, and accountability partners for a day of reflection, learning, and renewed commitment to strengthening ministry to children, youth, and families. Held under the theme “Influencing Positive Change Through Collective Action,” and guided by Genesis 41:38, the conference created space for church leaders to reflect on their shared calling to lead with wisdom, integrity, and the Spirit of God.
The conference was attended by 47 National Church Leaders, representing 497 churches in partnership with Compassion International. The gathering highlighted the power of the local church as a trusted, community-rooted institution that continues to play a central role in nurturing, protecting, discipling, and empowering children and youth. Dr. Oliver Kisaka delivered the devotional message and encouraged leaders, drawing on Acts 11:19–30. He reminded them that a church transformed by the Word of God becomes united, generous, and mission-driven, moving beyond self-focus to impact others through faith and compassion
Following the presentations, church leaders took part in question-and answer and plenary sessions, leading to the conference participants’ key resolutions:
- Conduct comprehensive compliance audits in governance, employment, child protection, data protection, property, financial management, and procurement to support the resolutions that follow.
- Strengthen governance and accountability by reviewing church registration status, clarifying leadership structures,formalizing board meetings, improving reporting lines, and safeguarding church property.
- Enhance tax compliance by reviewing tax-exemption status, filing annual returns, remitting statutory deductions, tracking surplus funds, and maintaining audit-ready records.
- Improve financial management and internal controls through stronger budgeting, procurement, reporting, approval processes, monthly financial reviews, and annual audits as part of the overall compliance response.
- Prioritize child protection and safeguarding by developing or strengthening relevant policies, establishing incident-reporting procedures, and enforcing codes of conduct to reinforce safe church practice.
- Improve data protection by establishing clear procedures, registering or renewing registration with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, securing sensitive information, and enforcing access controls to strengthen responsible information handling.
- Build a strong culture of compliance through regular awareness programs, leadership training, quarterly compliance reviews, annual evaluations, expert support, and independent audits to sustain these measures.
- Plan to align church operations with the African Council for Accreditation and Accountability’s standards and accreditation pathway through assessment, advisory support, and continuous improvement to ensure ongoing progress.
Beyond governance, the conference called churches to expand their commitment to children and youth programming. In his closing remarks, Newton Midamba, Senior Manager of Partnership, encouraged leaders to carry the day’s commitments back to their churches and denominational structures. The conference closed with prayers led by Bishop Shadrack Oloo, marking the end of a significant day of reflection, accountability, and renewed partnership.