The Kenyan government has announced an initial KSh2 billion commitment to a Child Welfare Fund as it steps up efforts to improve childcare and child protection services across the country.
The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services Hannah Wendot during a side event at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The event, held under the theme “Advancing Quality Childcare Systems: From Policy to Implementation,” brought together representatives from Kenya’s national and county governments, Ethiopia and South Africa, as well as development partners, practitioners and researchers.
Wendot said childcare should not be viewed only as a service provided to families, but as an important part of the country’s social and economic infrastructure.
She noted that the early years of a child’s life are important for cognitive, physical and social development.
Quality childcare also gives parents, particularly women, an opportunity to work, study and take part in economic activities.
Kenya has already put in place several policies to guide the sector, including the National Care Policy, National Children Policy, Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy and the National Care Reform Strategy 2022–2032.
Wendot said the focus now was on turning these policies into programmes that can be implemented and funded across the country.
This includes setting clear standards for childcare services, training personnel and strengthening accountability at both national and county levels.
The government is also working to strengthen child protection systems, invest in childcare workers and expand social protection programmes.
Wendot said the planned Child Welfare Fund would start with an initial commitment of KSh2 billion.
The government is also seeking partnerships to improve childcare standards and regulation, support caregivers and children officers, and expand community and home-based care.
It also wants to improve the collection and use of information on childcare while strengthening accountability and finding sustainable ways of financing services.
Wendot said the success of the government’s efforts would ultimately be measured by whether children receive safer and more nurturing care, families become stronger and caregivers get better opportunities.
She said Kenya was ready to work with other African countries and international partners to move from policy commitments to practical action that improves the lives of children.
