The government, through the National Council for Children’s Services, has pledged to maintain the operation of charitable care institutions for essential child care services, even as the country embarks on implementation of the national foster care reforms
Lucy Ghati, Director of Public Awareness Partnerships at the National Council for Children’s Services, emphasizes the crucial role of charitable care institutions in the welfare of vulnerable children.
“We are not closing down charitable care children institutions. We are removing children from sleeping in those institutions so that they sleep in communities and families within the society but those institutions will still be providing childcare services,” the Director told KNA on Thursday.
The foster care reforms championed by the government aims to allow children to grow in family-oriented environments, which are considered more beneficial for their social and emotional development.
Moreover, the implementation of the national foster care reforms commenced in 2022 and is expected to last till 2032 where all children held in charitable care institutions commonly known as children homes will be placed under family and community set up.
Ghati explained that the charitable care institutions will coordinate with local community committees to ensure provision of resources and support to families hosting the vulnerable children.
She lauded Murang’a County government for developing a county-specific Children’s Policy which outlines a framework for providing children’s services tailored to local needs.
The director further called upon other counties to take cognizance of the rights of children and put in place county-specific laws and policies which will help them address children’s welfare and rights effectively.
“Rights of children need to be safeguarded and that is why Murang’a has developed its Children Policy. Other counties should do the same to address crucial aspects such as health, education, and protection, ensuring a well-rounded approach to child welfare,” she added.
On the other hand, Ghati underscored the National Council for Children’s Services commitment to work with all county governments and communities across the country to ensure that children’s rights and welfare remain a top priority, especially as the country prepares to mark Children’s Day on November 20 slated to be held in Murang’a County.
By Bernard Munyao
