Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Internet Watch Foundation have partnered in an effort reduce and eradicate online sexual harassment in Kenya.
Confirming the partnership through their twitter handle, the DCI stated that the online portal will expedite the handling of online child sexual exploitation and abuse matters thus increasing the existing children protection measures.
The IWF affirmed that the National Police Service will also have a direct link for reporting children abuse cases by sending in images and videos.
Ms Mueni Mutisya, the In Charge of AHTCPU said that the online anonymous submission of sexual abuse against children will help speed up the process of saving the children before more damage is done.
Lady Justice Martha Koome commended the DCI and IWF effort in protecting children exposed to online risky materials.
“You do not require any court order to pull down any material that exposes a child to sexual exploitation and abuse, whether copyrighted or not. The judicial system prioritizes what is done in the best interest of the child,” Lady Justice Martha said.
The DCI unit in charge of Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection (AHTCPU) has continued to fight for the protection of children.
There has been the rising need to find a mechanism for protecting children from online sexual predators who have often made good use of the children's vulnerability.
In late 2020, the DCI rescued school going children who left their homes without their parent's consent. DCI Reports indicated that the children might have been lured through online platform to go and attend parties.
Kenya still ranks high both in Africa and the world as one of the countries that has made effort to take down online content that targets children.
In an interview with KBC, the CEO of Technology Service Provider of Kenya, Fiona Asonga, stated that the Safety of a child online is determined by their environment, and whether there is parent supervision. Schools also have a responsibility to educate children on online safety.
The partnership between DCI and the IWF is intended at creating an environment where children can only use online platform for educational purposes.
