He is the president of the Children’s Parliament, but David Malingi said he was humbled to share a table with Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo and Unicef country representative Olivia Yambi during the launch of the state of the world’s children web site on Friday at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi. Photo/ JAMES NJUGUNA
The eloquence and confidence are hard to match as David Malingi, 16, presents the children’s agenda to politicians, ambassadors and presidents across the globe. Activist, counsellor and mediator are just some of the titles he adorns in his Kaloleni home; he is also the president of the Children’s Parliament in Kenya. Just last Friday, Malingi shared a table with Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo during the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at KICC in Nairobi. “I was humbled to sit next to him. I used the chance to give my views on the judicial delays in children’s cases,” he told the Nation. The Standard Six pupil at Ribe Methodist Academy in Coast Province says his dream is to live in a world where indifference to children does not exist, and their talents are nurtured. Last month, Malingi travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, to mark the celebration since the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an experience he describes as “a golden opportunity to represent my peers”. He presented a paper on children’s agenda to delegates and made a global call for all governments to give priority to programmes targeting children. “I want to help children to speak against injustices that have for so long haunted them,” he said. Malingi, who was born to an unemployed father and a mother who is a nursery school teacher, is also a member of the Area Advisory Council in his Kaloleni home, where he plays a role as an arbitrator in conflicts involving children. “I failed to join primary school early enough due to lack of fees but I’m determined to be a child rights activist and ensure access to education to all children,” said the first born in a family of four. In one case, he brought together two rival families in a rape case involving a 12-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man. “I sought audience with the parents of both and called for calm in order to solve the conflict,” he said, adding that he was able to counsel the girl and refer her to a crisis centre where she was counselled further and taken to hospital. “The man accused of rape also apologised though I referred the case to the Provincial Administration.” The two families are now in better terms. “Why should defilement and sodomy cases be heard for up to one year later while the current law gives a provision of not less than 72 hours?” Malingi challenged the Judiciary, adding that delays caused trauma, pain and suffering for the child. During the celebrations, Mr Mutula termed the political succession debate as “selfish”, yet few politicians paid attention to the fact that the new draft had included the rights of the child in section 41 for the first time. “The current debate on the constitution is politically inclined, leaving out the most vulnerable citizens, the children,” Mr Mutula said. The minister was appalled by the delay in hearing cases involving children. “Among the reforms are plans to introduce ICT to hasten the handling of cases in children’s courts,” said Mr Mutula. Those working in the children’s departments countrywide would undergo refresher courses so they could deal with emerging issues affecting children more efficiently. Malingi counsels peers regarding life skills and education in their lives. The greatest challenge, he says, is when children fail to take him seriously or adults ignore his interventions during crises. As Kenyans discuss the draft constitution, the youngest and most vulnerable citizens of the country ask adults to have sober minds during the 30-day period. In the Bill of Rights, Section 41, children are extensively discussed and said to hold a special place in society with the parents, family and the State put to task to protect and nurture them. According to government statistics, there are 19.2 million children out of the 36 million people in Kenya. Every child’s rights will be protected should the draft constitution become law. Harmful cultural practices on children are not allowed in the proposed law, as are exploitation, neglect or abuse.
Daily Nation
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