Narration By Billy Mijungu
There is an important and transformative effort underway in our country that many people may not yet be aware of. It is taking place quietly within the government, and it involves something deeply personal and profound the lives and futures of our children.
I speak of the transition from institutional care of children to alternative family care, a process being led by a dedicated and passionate team in the Alternative Family Care Department.
For many years, the common solution for children who had lost or been separated from their families was to place them in institutions, commonly known as children’s homes or orphanages.
While these facilities were often set up with good intentions, we have learned over time that no institution, no matter how well run, can replace the love, stability, and nurturing that comes from growing up in a family.
That is why Kenya made a bold and compassionate commitment in the Children Act of 2022. This law recognizes that the family is the natural and best environment for the growth and development of every child.
It sets out a clear path for the country to transition all children’s institutions into family and community based care systems over a ten year period, from the year two thousand and twenty two to the year two thousand and thirty two.
The department at the center of this effort is the Alternative Family Care Department within the State Department for Social Protection. Its mandate is to safeguard and protect the rights and welfare of all children in alternative care.
The department is led by experienced professionals who work to design and oversee the implementation of alternative care programs. These include kinship care, guardianship, foster care, adoption, supported independent living, and temporary shelters.
The goal is to ensure that children who cannot live with their biological parents are still able to grow up in a safe and loving family environment. The department also maintains a National Foster Care Register, conducts situation analyses, raises awareness, builds capacity among care practitioners, and supports case management and reintegration processes.
There has already been significant progress. Over one thousand two hundred children have been placed in foster care, and more than eight hundred have been successfully reintegrated into their families.
These are not just statistics. Each number represents a child who now has a better chance at life a chance to grow up in a family rather than in an institution.
However, there are challenges. Funding remains inadequate. Many institutions are resistant to change. Awareness about alternative care remains low in many parts of the country. There are also many children with disabilities who still lack proper care. Despite these difficulties, the department and its partners continue to move forward with courage and determination.
The good news is that the foundation for success is already in place. Kenya has strong legal and policy frameworks. We are seeing growing support from both the government and the community.
Some institutions have already transitioned children back to families and are now champions of this reform. Our cultural values still honor the family as the cornerstone of society. And perhaps most importantly, we have a resilient and adaptive people who understand the value of giving every child a fair chance.
As a nation, we must come together to support this journey. Let us advocate for more funding, encourage our communities to welcome children in need, and ensure that no child is left behind simply because they lack parental care.
Let us remind ourselves that every child deserves not just shelter, but a home. Not just care, but love. Not just survival, but a future.
