ABSTRACT
The Constitution of Kenya (Republic of Kenya, 2010) guarantees all citizens the right to social security and commits the state to make appropriate provision to those who are unable to support themselves and/or their dependents. The rights include social protection (SP), health care, decent working conditions, and justice. Drawing on empirical evidence from a yearlong study on child vulnerability in Western Kenya, this chapter examines the range of services that community-based NSAs provide and interrogates the governance and accountability structures of these organisations with regard to the citizenship rights of vulnerable children. It presents a study that draws on the citizenship definition of Tilly, which is useful for assessing young people's daily lives. The chapter highlights the importance of a child-focused analysis and intra-household dynamics. Social vulnerabilities are fertile ground for children's deliberate abuse and exclusion.
