Building better safeguarding: The Catholic Church and its institutions in Kenya

Child safeguarding is a critical concern within religious institutions, especially in regions facing cultural, institutional, and resource challenges. Effective safeguarding is essential to protect vulnerable children from abuse and neglect. Despite growing awareness, many institutions struggle to implement comprehensive safeguarding measures. This study evaluates existing child safeguarding structures, training efforts, and responses to child abuse in selected regions (Catholic arch/dioceses) in Kenya. It employed a descriptive, cross-sectional design that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data collection involved (1) administrative record analysis of 5,052 Church personnel training records; (2) semi-structured interviews with 40 key stakeholders, including clergy, diocesan coordinators, and ministry leaders; and (3) four focus group discussions with 32 participants representing catechists, Pontifical Missionary Childhood (PMC) animators, and youth coordinators. The study revealed that only 14.7% of the identified Church personnel had received formal training in child safeguarding. Interview data identified sexual abuse, child labor, neglect, physical abuse, and early marriage as primary concerns, consistent with national studies showing that 80% of Kenyan children experience some form of abuse. Specific concerns in the Archdiocese of Kisumu included corporal punishment and early initiation into family planning. The Catholic Church in Kenya has implemented measures such as safeguarding policies, support services for abuse victims, and training programs for priests. However, challenges such as insufficient resources, cultural resistance, and institutional barriers persist. The study concludes that although the Catholic Church in Kenya has basic safeguarding structures, gaps remain in training, policy implementation, and community engagement. • Only 14.7% of the Church’s personnel received formal child safeguarding training. • Sexual abuse, child labor, neglect, physical abuse, and early marriage are the most prevalent forms of child abuse within the Catholic Church. • No standardized training curriculum exists; training varies based on the available trainers and resources. • A significant misalignment exists between the Church’s safeguarding procedures and Kenya’s mandatory reporting requirements. • Fear of stigma, institutional protectionism, and limited resources impede the implementation of effective safeguarding measures.