In a decisive move to safeguard children’s welfare, the Kenyan government has announced plans to shut down all privately owned children’s homes and orphanages by 2030. This initiative is part of the National Care Reform Strategy (2022-2032), aiming to transition vulnerable children from institutional care to family and community-based settings.
Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore emphasized that the closures are intended to combat child trafficking and ensure better care for children. She stated that only government-run facilities under the Child Welfare Society of Kenya would remain operational. “In the next eight years, private homes will not exist. We need to prepare in order to absorb those children,” Bore remarked during an inspection of children’s care facilities.
Bore highlighted that some private institutions have been misused for illicit activities, including child trafficking. She noted that poor management and lack of proper monitoring in private rescue homes have led to rising child trafficking cases across the country.
The government’s strategy involves reintegrating children into their biological families where possible and promoting alternative care options such as foster care, kinship care, and adoption.
Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Principal Secretary Joseph Motari stated that since the implementation of care reforms in 2022, more than 1,600 foster parents have been registered, currently caring for 862 children. He emphasized that the reforms aim to ensure children grow sustainably within a family and community setting.
The initiative has garnered support from various religious leaders. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops endorsed the government’s decision, citing instances of abuse and exploitation in some orphanages. They argued that children’s homes have subjected children to various forms of abuse, with little or no action taken against the perpetrators. The bishops also highlighted cases of child trafficking and misuse of donor funds in these institutions.
While the government’s plan is ambitious, it faces challenges, including the need for increased public awareness and the recruitment of more foster families. Motari acknowledged a shortage of families willing to foster children with disabilities and special needs. He noted that the Ministry is intensifying efforts on sensitization and training to reduce stigma around fostering such children.
As Kenya progresses with its National Care Reform Strategy, the focus remains on ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and family-based environment.
