Tessie Musalia ,Ushiriki Wema Patron and spouse to Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Wema Centre Trustee Lucy Yinda flag off cyclists during this years Wemathon funday organised by Wema Centre in Miombasa .The Charity event was in support of Wema Health Clinical facility dedicated in providing medical services to Wema Centre children which will now be open to street connected children.Photo Courtesy Wema Centre.
Tears, cheers and messages of hope filled the air in Mombasa as hundreds of Kenyans from all walks of life gathered for the annual Wemathon charity run aimed at transforming the lives of vulnerable street-connected children after the increase of street-connected children seeking assistance due to economic hardships, family breakdown and drug abuse.
Speaking during the event held at the Butterfly Pavilion Forest Trail and organised by the Wema Centre, Mrs Musalia said Kenya’s future depends on how the country treats its most vulnerable children today and urged the government, private and other stakeholders to collaborate to better the lives of street children.
“In Kenya, child rights are protected under Article 53 of the Constitution and the Children Act 2022. Every child deserves dignity, protection, education, healthcare and the opportunity to thrive,” she said.
Wema Centre Children participate in the Wemathon funday to raise funds for Wema Health Clinic.Photo Courtesy Wema Centre
Tessie Musalia stressed that every child has the right to a name and nationality from birth, parental care whenever possible, free basic education, nutrition, shelter and healthcare and further warned that many children continue to suffer silently due to poverty, abuse, violence and exploitation despite existing legal protections.
“No child should grow up on the streets feeling forgotten or abandoned. Protecting children is not just a government responsibility; it is a collective duty for all of us,” she emphasized.
Mrs Musalia praised the centre for giving vulnerable children a second chance through rescue missions, rehabilitation, counselling, education and family reintegration programmes.
“The work being done here is proof that compassion can restore hope. Many children who once slept hungry on the streets are now in school and rebuilding their futures,” she said.
Nevertheles the recent government efforts to strengthen child protection through new regulations establishing a Child Welfare Fund under the Public Finance Management Act await to br implemented and the new fund is expected to improve emergency support services, healthcare access and rehabilitation programmes for children at risk.
According to Wema Centre the funds raised during the Wemathon will help provide medical treatment, counselling, nutrition support and rehabilitation services for rescued children.
The annual Wemathon has continued growing into one of Mombasa’s biggest charity campaigns, bringing together communities to fight for the rights, protection and future of street-connected children.
