Kapchesewes Charitable Children Institution (CCI) in Marakwet West has embraced the government’s care reform programme aimed at transitioning children from institutional care to families and communities.
The commitment was made during an engagement meeting between the Kapchesewes CCI Board of Management and officials from the State Department for Children Welfare Services under the Ministry of Gender, Culture, and Children Services, held in Kapsowar.
Kapchesewes CCI, which is run by the African Inland Church (AIC), is the only CCI in Elgeyo Marakwet County and is already looking into taking steps towards transitioning into family and community-based care.
County Children Coordinator Julius Yator said the institution had bought into the idea of transitioning children from institutional care to family- and community-based care, noting that Elgeyo Marakwet was a front-runner in the implementation of care reform.
“Kapchesewes CCI has bought into the idea of transitioning children from institutional care to family care. Elgeyo Marakwet is a front-runner in care reform because we have only one CCI, but we must continue working together to ensure there is no backsliding,” said Yator.
He likened children’s homes to hospitals, saying they should provide temporary care to children as they are prepared for transition to suitable families and communities.
“A children’s home should be like a hospital. It should be a temporary place for transition and not a permanent residence for a child,” he said.
Yator said family separation was often caused by lack of adequate support, adding that strengthening families and communities would help address the root causes that lead children to institutional care.
He emphasised that care reform did not mean abandoning children or closing services, but changing the form of care to ensure children are raised in family environments in accordance with existing laws.
“Transitioning is a different kind of care; it is not closure. It is in alignment with existing laws, and there are no negotiations on it. The process should also be open and accountable,” said Yator.
The State Department for Children Welfare Services said their role was primarily to regulate and enforce standards in CCIs rather than provide financial benefit.
They stressed the importance of regular inspection and oversight to protect children from possible exploitation and ensure institutions operate within the law.
The officials noted that reintegration is a gradual process and that successfully transitioning even two or three children into families in a year constitutes a significant achievement.
Stakeholders were also reminded that no child should be placed in institutional care before family- and community-based alternatives have been fully explored.
The care reform programme provides for alternative care pathways, including kinship care and guardianship, foster care, and adoption. Other community-based options include community foster homes, support for child-headed households, and supported independent living.
Under the reform framework, all CCIs are expected to transition into temporary rescue centers by the end of 2032 instead of continuing to operate as permanent children’s homes.
The law also prohibits the establishment of new children’s homes, with a moratorium on the registration of new CCIs.
Timothy Kirui from the Ministry of Education said Kapchesewes CCI was already transitioning towards becoming a rescue centre and pledged the ministry’s support for the process.
“The Ministry of Education is ready to support this transition. We are ready, and we will carry the right information back home to ensure the reform process is properly understood and supported,” said Kirui.
He cautioned gatekeepers and other stakeholders against sharing information that could encourage families capable of caring for their children to view CCIs as an alternative source of basic provision.
Kapchesewes CCI Manager Abraham Kaino said the institution was ready to work with the government to ensure the transition succeeds.
“We will support the project to ensure that it goes on well and achieves its intended purpose of ensuring children receive the best form of care,” said Kaino.
Social worker Evans Kisut pledged to link the State Department for Children Welfare Services with relevant institutions to facilitate smooth transitions.
“We will work closely with the State Department and relevant institutions to ensure the transition of children is coordinated and carried out smoothly,” said Kisut.
Moses Chemweno, Secretary to the AIC District Church Council, said the church welcomed the reform and would comply with the law.
“There is no law that we can escape. We have to abide by the law, and as the church, we welcome the transition and will support the process,” said Chemweno.
Board of Management member Mary Koima said the board was committed to supporting the government’s efforts to ensure children were cared for within safe and supportive family and community environments.
Stakeholders further called on donors and development partners to redirect support towards structured child welfare programmes that strengthen families and communities instead of financing institutional care.
They said children could continue receiving assistance from donors while living in family- and community-based care, noting that the best interests of the child should remain at the centre of the reform process.
By Rennish Okong’o
