The Kenyan Senate has questioned the government's ambitious plan to phase out nearly 1,000 children's homes nationwide urging caution and demanding clarity on the strategy for vulnerable populations. The Senate's push-back comes amidst divided opinion on the best course of action of improving the lives of orphans, homeless and vulnerable children.
Lack of a clear communication from the government, varied care approaches by orphanages and different perspectives from the Church has added to the confusion on the phase-out plan from orphanages to family and community-based care by 2032 with a major milestone of transitioning 70% of children in institutional care to families by 2027. Kenya has 902 registered charitable children's homes hosting approximately 44,070 minors. Another 30 statutory facilities care for 1,443 children.
The legislators questioned the government's plan to close all privately-run children homes, warning that vulnerable children would be at risk of suffering neglect if the plan is executed without sufficient rail guards. During a Senate sitting on April 17, 2025, Senator Esther Anyieni asked whether a comprehensive national policy framework, multi-agency approach, and adequate budget had been put in place to support rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, including establishing shelters and providing services like counselling and vocational training.
However, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua clarified that the government will only close children's homes that "do not comply with established laws and regulations" adding that the government is still issuing licenses to new orphanages. The statement puts to question the government's commitment to the transition plan that is being spearheaded by the National Council for Children Services (NCCS) and is grounded in the National Care Reform Strategy (2022-2032). Further, it aligns with global best practices including the 2024 Global Ministerial Conference on Children that committed signatories, including Kenya, to transition children from orphanages to family-based approaches.
Long-term impact
The move was informed by extensive research demonstrating that institutional care can have long-term negative effects on children's psychological and developmental well-being. A study by Faith to Action showed that children in residential care are prone to delayed developmental milestones and struggle with attachment, leading to mistrust and a lack of identity or belonging in adulthood. Critically, studies in various counties in Kenya have found that between 80% to 90% of children in these institutions have either a surviving parent or non-relative who could potentially care for them.
Experts point to factors such as poor caregiver-to-child ratios in many institutions, which can result in inconsistent care and maternal deprivation, particularly harmful to children under three years old whose brains are developing rapidly. Furthermore, the often isolated nature of institutions can make children more vulnerable to violence, abuse, and exploitation, especially as they may be less aware of their rights.
The National Care Reform Strategy also identified alternative care options including Kinship Care, Foster Care, Kafalah, Child-Headed Households, Guardianship, and Adoption. Foster care involves placing a child with an approved person who is not a parent, relative, or guardian. Adoption establishes a legal parent-child relationship, while Kafalah provides care until independence, and Child-Headed Households allow older children (above 14) to lead households with community support.
Church response
Despite broad support for the principle of family-based care, the implementation of the phase-out plan has faced significant challenges and has drawn criticism. Church leaders, who run many of the children's homes, have mixed views. While some, like Catholic Bishop Willybard Lagho, support the plan due to concerns about abuse and trafficking in some institutions, others worry about the safety of children returning to potentially unstable or abusive family environments.
Bishop Johnes Ole Meliyio of the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church agreed that institutions shouldn't be permanent homes but argued that closing church homes, which provide vital support without government funding, is ill-advised. Anglican Bishop Alphonse Baya Mwaro likened some homes to businesses driven by donor funding, but also raised concerns about monitoring domestic violence if children are placed back into communities.
Directors of children's homes have cautioned that the transition from institutional care to family-based care requires careful planning and strategy, warning against rushing the process and potentially gambling with children's lives. They highlighted the severe economic hardship faced by many Kenyan families and questioned their capacity to absorb additional children, particularly if the system simply copies Western models without adequate resources.
Another significant challenge raised is the issue of children whose families cannot be traced or are unwilling or unfit to provide care due to factors like poverty, cultural taboos, severe special needs, or the traumatic circumstances of abandonment.
Speaking during a radio talk show, NCCS Principal Children Officer, Kennedy Owino, said the government's vision is based on the principle that all children thrive best in a family environment, supported by their community. He clarified that there is a proposed robust case management process for reintegration that will review the needs of the child and the next of kin home environments to ascertain "who is best suited to meet the needs of this particular child."
He emphasized that the plan aims to support children within a family and community context, utilizing the services and resources currently provided by the homes in a non-residential capacity. For children who cannot be integrated into immediate or extended families, the government takes accountability, Owino clarified. He mentioned options like independent supported living for young adults and supported living for child-headed households.
The transition to family-based care has been gaining worldwide traction spurred by sustainability concerns and the long-term effects of children raised in orphanages. In an interview with Christian Daily International, Emmanuel "Nabs" Mohamed from Sierra Leone, has made it his mission to transition as many children under institutional care to family-care, borne out of his 10-year experience living in an orphanage in his earlier years.
"It is possible that when you provide the right support and access to basic services in their community, many families are able to keep children in their care. That is why it is important for Christians to support family-based care. They can help to direct resources including funding, mission volunteering and government services to support vulnerable families," said Nabs.
