The Directorate of Children’s Services in Kiambu Sub County has partnered with Weza Care to spearhead a flagship project aimed at providing a safe haven for the vulnerable children in Kiambu.
Speaking to KNA, Administrative Director at Child in Family Focus Kenya, Peter Kamau said that the aim of the project is to lay out a temporary placement for vulnerable children who are victims of neglect or child abuse.
He noted that the project would not only usher a new dawn for vulnerable children but also fuel government’s efforts to realize its vision of The National Care Reform Strategy (NCRS) 2022-2032.
“This project goes a long way in ensuring a smooth transition of the child from an orphanage or a children’s home to his/her family after the government has successfully traced them,” said Kamau.
Children’s homes, he lamented, are a reflection of the weakening family unit in our communities and society and according to Kenya’s children’s Act, every child has a right to parental care.
“We are intentional with the welfare of the child, therefore we want a child to be brought up in an environment where values are upheld, owing to the fact that we are a religious nation,” Kamau said.
Kiambu Sub County Clinical Psychologist (SCCP) Mary Mbuthia called on members of the community willing to provide foster care to avail themselves at the Sub County children’s office for assessment and orientation.
Currently, she disclosed that the Children’s office has vetted and approved at least 22 foster parents who went through the fostering processes to prove eligibility for parental care.
“Fostering process involves the selection, assessment, training and registration of the foster parent by the Directorate of Children services”, explained Mbuthia.
The psychologist singled out Gichocho in Riabai Sub County and Githunguri Sub County who have expressed commitment to work with the DCS to support the course.
By Steve Biko
