Protecting Every Child.
Strengthening Every Family.
Championing Child Protection, Strengthening Families, Advancing Justice
Championing child protection, family strengthening, and access to justice through free legal aid and advocacy since 2013.
About CRALAF
CRALAF is a Legal Aid Organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights through access to justice, child protection and safeguarding, family strengthening, child online safety, research and advocacy.
We were established in the year 2013.
The Children Rights Advocacy and Legal Aid Foundation (CRALAF) is a non-profit organization registered under Kenya’s Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) (formerly the NGO Coordination Board).
Mission
To advocate for, protect, and enhance the rights and welfare of children and families through accessible legal systems as we provide free legal aid and related services, working in collaboration with front-line service providers including government departments, community structures, and civil society organizations to ensure holistic and sustainable support.
Vision
We envision a society that protects the well-being of children through effective family strengthening mechanisms and a fair, accessible justice system.
Values
Our Founder
CRALAF was established in response to the growing number of children in conflict with the law, children in need of care and protection, increasing family separation, and the need for timely, child-friendly, and family-centred access to justice. The organization was founded on the belief that protecting children requires not only legal intervention but also strengthening families and preserving positive parent-child relationships in the best interests of the child.
Our Story
2013 – Responding to a Critical Need
CRALAF was established in response to the growing number of children in conflict with the law, children in need of care and protection, increasing family separation, and the need for timely, child-friendly, and family-centred access to justice. The organization was founded on the belief that protecting children requires not only legal intervention but also strengthening families and preserving positive parent-child relationships in the best interests of the child.
2013–2016 – Building Access to Justice
CRALAF introduced free legal aid, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and child-friendly justice interventions, promoting family-centred approaches that prioritized prevention, rehabilitation, and the preservation of family relationships while using litigation only as a measure of last resort.
2017–2022 – Strengthening Child Protection Systems
The organization expanded its work beyond legal aid to include child protection and safeguarding, family strengthening, advocacy, research, and strategic partnerships, working closely with government institutions, the Judiciary, development partners, civil society, and communities to strengthen child protection systems.
2023–Present – CRALAF Today
Recognizing the evolving risks facing children in the digital age, CRALAF broadened its programmes to address child online safety, Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), ethical digital advocacy, climate and environmental issues affecting children, and evidence-based policy advocacy, while continuing to strengthen access to justice and family-centred interventions.
CRALAF Today – Advancing Lasting Change:
Today, CRALAF is a trusted child rights organization working through legal aid, capacity strengthening, advocacy, research, and strategic partnerships to protect children, strengthen families, and promote safe, inclusive, and protective environments where every child can survive, thrive, and realize their full potential.
Our Programmes
Access to Justice
Promoting equitable access to justice through legal aid, legal empowerment, alternative dispute resolution, and child-friendly justice interventions in all aspect of Child Protection.
Family Strengthening
Empowering families and caregivers through prevention, resilience-building, parenting support, and interventions that promote safe, nurturing, and protective family environments avoiding family separation.
- Pursue Judiciary led family centred interventions and rehabilitation
- Prevent mother/child family separation
- Gender Equality and Equity
- Economic Empowerment for women and teenage mothers
Child Protection and Safeguarding
(with a focus on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – OCSEA)
Preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harmful practices while promoting child safeguarding and safer online environments.
Children, Climate and Environment
Advancing children’s rights through climate action, environmental protection, disaster resilience, and promoting children’s participation in environmental sustainability initiatives.
Research, Policy and Advocacy
Generating evidence, influencing policy and practice, strengthening public awareness, and advocating for laws, systems, and programs that uphold and protect the rights and wellbeing of children.
Our Impact
Delivering child-centred legal aid, protection, advocacy, and family strengthening interventions since 2013.
Supporting children and families through legal aid, capacity building, community outreach, partnerships, and advocacy initiatives across Kenya.
Providing legal aid, child protection, safeguarding, referrals, family strengthening, and access to justice services.
Offering legal advice, representation, mediation, referrals, and child-friendly justice interventions.
Strengthening ethical reporting, child-sensitive journalism, safeguarding, and child online safety through trainings, workshops, and webinars.
Leading campaigns and capacity-building initiatives on child online safety, ethical digital advocacy, and responsible use of technology.
Our Approach
CRALAF adopts an integrated, child-centred approach that combines prevention, protection, response, rehabilitation, capacity strengthening, advocacy, and strategic partnerships to safeguard children’s rights, strengthen families, and promote access to justice. Guided by the best interests of the child, the organization prioritizes family-centred and child-friendly interventions, with litigation pursued only where it is necessary and, in the child’s, best interests.
Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration
CRALAF recognizes that protecting and promoting the rights of children requires strong partnerships and coordinated action. Over the years, the organization has established and maintained strategic collaborations with national and county government institutions, the Judiciary, independent commissions, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and both traditional and digital media practitioners to strengthen child protection systems and improve access to justice.
CRALAF works closely with the National Council for Children’s Services (NCCS) and the Department of Children’s Services (DCS), supporting child protection interventions alongside Children’s Officers across the country.
The organization also collaborates with the Judiciary through its participation in several Children Court Users Committees (CUCs), including in Kiambu, Thika, Makadara, and Milimani, contributing to the promotion of child-friendly justice and improved access to legal services.
As an active stakeholder within the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), CRALAF participates in the annual Justice Month programme by providing pro bono legal aid services through its network of advocates. In addition, the organization partners with development partners, like-minded civil society organizations, independent commissions, academic institutions, the private sector, and both mainstream and digital media to advance public awareness, policy advocacy, capacity strengthening, and evidence-informed initiatives that promote the rights, protection, and wellbeing of children.
Governance
- Board Members
- Executive Director
- Program Manager
- Program Finance Manager
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager
- Finance Officer
- Project Officers
- Administration Assistant
- Project Assistant
- Volunteers & Interns
vision · core values
Signature Initiatives
Family Strengthening Programme
Child Rights & Protection Media Awards
Social Media Activism Initiative
Sauti Jasiri Online
Why Partner With CRALAF?
CRALAF is a trusted child rights organization with the technical expertise, institutional experience, and strategic partnerships needed to deliver sustainable, child-centred interventions. Our integrated approach combines legal aid, child protection and safeguarding, family strengthening, research, advocacy, capacity building, and strategic collaboration to address the evolving needs of children and families across Kenya.
Working closely with government institutions, the Judiciary, independent commissions, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and both traditional and digital media, CRALAF leverages multisector partnerships to strengthen child protection systems, influence policy, and improve access to justice. Our strong governance structures, commitment to accountability, and evidence-informed programming ensure that every intervention is responsive, impactful, and guided by the best interests of the child.
By partnering with CRALAF, organizations become part of a shared commitment to advancing children’s rights, strengthening families, promoting safer communities and digital environments, and delivering lasting, measurable impact for children. Together, we can create sustainable solutions that protect, empower, and enable every child to reach their full potential.