Child in Family Focus Kenya (CFFK), a non-profit organisation championing family-based care for orphaned and vulnerable children, held a sensitisation meeting at World of Faith Church to rally community stakeholders on Kenya’s ongoing care reforms.
The event brought together chiefs, Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), children’s officers, and other local leaders to position them as ambassadors for the shift toward family and community-based care.
This aligns with the National Care Reform Strategy (2022–2032), which prioritises preventing family separation, strengthening families, and transitioning children from institutional settings such as Charitable Children’s Institutions (CCIs) to alternative family-based options like kinship care, foster care, and reintegration with biological or extended families.
Phylis Wanjiru, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at CFFK, took the stage to outline the journey of care reforms. She explained what care reforms entail and their importance in ensuring children’s well-being.
“Care reforms are about moving away from institutional care to family-based environments where children can grow up with love, stability, and belonging,” Phylis Wanjiru said. “We are not closing child charity institutions abruptly but supporting a gradual, child-centred transition that keeps children closer to their families and communities, backed by government policies and evidence showing better developmental outcomes in family settings.”
Brian Kiprotich, Children’s Officer at Githunguri, complemented the session by detailing alternative care options and the collaborative role of stakeholders.
“Alternative care means prioritising family-based solutions like kinship, foster care, and reintegration,” Brian Kiprotich explained.
“Our role, together with the government and community, is to work hand-in-hand to trace families, provide support, and ensure every child thrives in a safe, nurturing home rather than institutions.”
Community members actively engaged in discussions, asking questions and sharing insights. They welcomed the programme, appreciating the clarification that the government is not shutting down child charity institutions outright but reforming the system to place children closer to families through prevention, family strengthening, and supported alternatives.
Participants committed to carrying the accurate message back to their communities: care reforms aim to protect children’s rights, reduce unnecessary institutionalisation, and promote sustainable family environments in line with the Constitution of Kenya and international standards.
The meeting underscored CFFK’s efforts in Kiambu and Githunguri sub-counties to build awareness, strengthen systems, and support the national agenda for ethical, family-focused child protection.
By Felix Kipkorir
