Socio-political commentator Billy Mijungu.PHOTO:POOL
A quiet revolution is taking place within Kenya’s child protection system—one that will redefine how we care for our most vulnerable citizens: our children.
Spearheaded by the Alternative Family Care Department within the State Department for Social Protection, the Government of Kenya is transitioning from institutional child care to family and community-based alternatives.
For decades, orphanages and children’s homes served as the default solution for children separated from parental care.
Though established with good intentions, these institutions, we now understand, cannot match the emotional, psychological, and social development benefits that come from growing up in a family setting.The enactment of the **Children Act of 2022** marks a turning point.
This landmark legislation declares that a family is the most natural and ideal environment for a child’s development.
The Act lays out a ten-year roadmap (2022–2032) for transitioning institutional care models into alternative family care systems.
At the forefront of this reform is the Alternative Family Care Department, tasked with protecting the rights and welfare of children in alternative care arrangements.
The department is implementing a range of options including kinship care, guardianship, foster care, adoption, supported independent living, and temporary shelters.
Key milestones have already been achieved: – 1,200+ children have been placed in foster care. – 800+ children have been reintegrated with their families.
These figures represent more than just statistics; they reflect meaningful change—children who now experience the love, stability, and belonging that only a family can offer.Yet, this transition is not without its hurdles.
Funding shortfalls, institutional resistance, low public awareness, and challenges in caring for children with disabilities pose significant obstacles. Nonetheless, the momentum remains strong.
Kenya’s robust legal framework, increasing community engagement, and cultural respect for family as the cornerstone of society all offer a solid foundation for success.
Importantly, many institutions are already adapting, embracing family reintegration, and becoming champions of reform.This is a national journey that requires collective commitment.
We must advocate for greater funding, support families willing to foster or adopt, and raise awareness in communities.
Every child in Kenya deserves not only shelter but a home—not only care but love.
Let us stand together to ensure no child is left behind. Let us build a Kenya where every child has the chance to thrive in a family, not just survive in a system.
Billy Mijungu is a sociopolitical commentator
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