Section 54 and 55 of the Children Act, 2022 provides for the establishment of County Children Advisory Committees and Sub -County Children Advisory Committees, their membership and functions thereof;

54 (1) The Council may, for the better performance of its functions, establish such County Children Advisory Committees as it may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its functions at the County level in accordance with this Act.

(2) The County Children Advisory Committees shall be comprised of the following persons—

(a) a children officer in charge of the area;

(b) the County Commissioner or a representative;

(c) the County Director for Education or a representative;

(d) the county executive member for the time being responsible for matters relating to children, or a representative;

(e) the County Executive Committee member for the time being responsible for matters relating to education, or a representative;

(f) the County Executive Committee member for the time being responsible for matters relating to health, or a representative;

(g) a representative of the Director of Public Prosecutions attached to the area within the local jurisdiction of the committee;

(h) a probation officer in charge of the area within the local limits of the committee’s jurisdiction;

(i) a police officer attached to the area within the local jurisdiction of the committee;

(j) a representative nominated by Public Benefits Organisations   engaged   in   children’s   welfare activities within the local limits of the committee’s jurisdiction;

(k) a representative nominated by public benefits organisations knowledgeable in matters relating to the rights of persons with disabilities;

(l) a representative of faith-based organisations within the jurisdiction of the committee;

(m) the registrar in charge of the area or a representative;

(n) the Labour Officer in-charge of the area or a representative; and

(o) a representative of the Council who shall be the Secretary to the Committee.

Functions of County Children Advisory Committees

The County Children Advisory Committee shall perform the following functions—

(a) assist and collaborate with the Council in the performance of its functions within its local jurisdiction;

(b) provide a platform for collaboration between the national government and the county government on children matters within its jurisdiction;

(c) make recommendations to the Council on any matters relating to children within its jurisdiction;

(d) provide information that may be required by the Council on any matter concerning children within the local limits of its jurisdiction; and

(e) perform such other functions as the Council may delegate.

55 (1) The Council shall establish, in relation to every sub-county, sub-county children advisory committees, whose functions shall be to advice the County Children Advisory Committees on, and make recommendations for, the implementation of such child welfare programmes as may be necessary for the promotion and protection of the rights of the child in the respective sub-counties.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Council may establish advisory committees in other decentralized units of service delivery to aid and advise the Council in the discharge of its functions under this Act or any other written law.

Functions of Sub-County Children Advisory Committees

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsections (1) and (2), the sub-county and other decentralized Children Committees shall—

(a) facilitate information sharing and networking among key stakeholders in each sub-county and other decentralized units;

(b) coordinate children matters and activities at the area of jurisdiction;

(c) inspect, monitor and evaluate children facilities to ensure compliance with standards set by the Council;

(d) make recommendations to the County Children Advisory Committee on any matters relating to children within the sub-county or area of jurisdiction;

(e) provide information that may be required by the County Children Advisory Committee on any matters relating to children within the area of jurisdiction;

(f) submit annual reports to the County Children Advisory Committee on matters relating to children within the area of jurisdiction;

(g) promote awareness on children matters within the area of jurisdiction; and

(h) mobilize resources to support the Council’s mandate at the sub-county level and area of jurisdiction.

(4) Pursuant to subsection (1), the sub-county children advisory committees shall submit to the respective County Children Advisory Committees particulars of the recommended child welfare programmes in relation to the respective sub counties.

(5) The County Children Advisory Committees shall consider the recommendations of the sub county children advisory committees and submit a report to the Chief Executive Officer.