Empowering and Protecting Children and Youth Along the Mlolongo–Naivasha Transport Corridor

The EmProtect Project is a two-year initiative (January 2025 – December 2026) aimed at reducing sexual exploitation of children (SEC) and youth aged 11–24 along the Mlolongo–Naivasha transport corridor. It focuses on expanding economic opportunities, strengthening local structures, and addressing root causes of exploitation. This project builds on key lessons and evidence from K-NOTE’s previous initiatives, including:

• Training and Employment for Children and Youth at Risk of Sexual Exploitation (2020–2024)
• SEC research in Naivasha and Gilgil Sub-Counties
• Re-Igniting Dreams and Wezesha Vijana projects in Mlolongo.

Project Goal

To contribute to the reduction of SEC among children and youth by equipping them with life and livelihood skills, strengthening family and community support systems, and enhancing multi-stakeholder coordination for systemic response and prevention.

Key Outcomes

Outcome 1: Empowerment Through Skills Development

Children and youth at risk or survivors of SEC will gain:

• Technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills
• Life skills, psychosocial support, and safeguarding knowledge
• Opportunities for economic independence and protection from exploitation

The project targets 135 participants (75% female, 25% male) with support that integrates digital literacy, online safety awareness, and training in workplace etiquette, salary negotiation, and contract literacy. When possible, internships will be facilitated through alumni who are now business owners.

Outcome 2: Strengthened Community and Family Systems

Families, communities, and Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) will receive support to become protective environments for children and youth. This will be achieved through:

• Positive parenting training
• Intergenerational and community dialogues
• Economic empowerment of vulnerable caregivers through entrepreneurship support and business linkages

This outcome is rooted in the recognition that economic vulnerability—especially among caregivers—can drive intergenerational cycles of exploitation, including cases where mothers in sex work draw their children into exploitative situations.

Outcome 3: Enhanced Coordination and Policy Influence

The project will promote multi-sectoral collaboration between:

• Government institutions
• Private sector actors
• Community-based organizations

Key strategies include:

• Strengthening referral systems and case management structures
• Influencing laws and policies at local and national levels
• Supporting coordination through national Technical Working Groups (TWGs)

Both implementing partners will be co-opted into the SEC national TWG to use research findings for advocacy, particularly towards the National Plan of Action for SEC and enhanced national social protection systems.

Strategic Approaches

Integrated Youth Empowerment

Youth participants will be supported holistically by:

• Trauma-informed care training for VTC instructors
• Safeguarding training in vocational and workplace settings
• Cross-learning opportunities with regional organizations like Ubuntu Pathways (South Africa) to adopt promising practices for youth employability

A feedback-driven approach will allow for:

• Peer mentorship by alumni
• Structured youth forums for accountability
• Inclusion of youth voices in employer engagements and advocacy

Systemic Change Across All Levels

Community Level

Engaging caregivers, especially mothers in high-risk situations, to:

• Break cycles of poverty and exploitation
• Foster economic alternatives and safe environments

Institutional Level

Working within schools, VTCs, and business premises to:

• Enhance safeguarding systems
• Equip institutions to identify and respond to SEC cases

Policy and System Level

Advocating for national changes by:

• Leveraging research findings for policy formulation
• Strengthening social protection frameworks
• Promoting multi-stakeholder accountability

Collaboration and Learning

The project adopts a whole-of-society, multi-stakeholder approach, combining efforts from:

• Vocational institutions and employers
• Local community structures
• Law enforcement and service providers

The dual-location model along the corridor (Mlolongo–Naivasha) encourages:

• Cross-learning between project sites
• Knowledge exchange among partners, youth, mentors, and communities

Sustainability and Ownership

Sustainability will be driven by:

• Leveraging existing community and institutional resources
• Mobilizing duty bearers to take ownership
• Embedding economic empowerment in community development strategies
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Through this comprehensive approach, the EmProtect Project aims to create lasting impact by protecting children and youth, empowering them economically, and transforming the structures that allow exploitation to persist.