Kenya is making significant strides in protecting vulnerable children from the horrors of trafficking. In a move aimed at safeguarding children’s welfare and preventing abuse, the government has decided to phase out private children’s homes and orphanages. This decision comes in the wake of the 2022 Children’s Act, which emphasizes the importance of providing alternative care options for children without families, such as foster care placement, guardianship, and adoption.
The exploitation and trafficking of children have been ongoing concerns within Kenya’s orphanages and children’s homes. Alarming reports from 2017 highlighted the disturbing practices of some organizations that persuade families to relinquish their children in exchange for financial gain through soliciting donations.
In an effort to eradicate child trafficking, Florence Bore, the Minister of Social Protection, has declared that all privately owned orphanages and children’s homes will be abolished within the next eight years. The government aims to place these children in more nurturing environments, such as family and community care, which offer a better quality of life.
According to a United Nations Children’s Agency report from 2017, it is estimated that 40,000 children reside in 811 registered institutions across Kenya. Unfortunately, data regarding the number of children in unregistered institutions remains unavailable, highlighting the urgent need for reform in this sector.
Ms Bore took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to reassure the public of the government’s commitment to transforming children’s homes and orphanages. During a recent inspection of children’s care facilities under construction by the government, she stated, “In the next eight years, private homes will not exist. We need to prepare in order to absorb those children.”
Amidst these sweeping changes, Ms Bore also assured that the government will continue to provide housing for children in facilities managed by the esteemed Child Welfare Society of Kenya. This government agency is tasked with the responsibility of caring for, protecting, ensuring the well-being of, and overseeing the adoption process for children across Kenya.
The decision to ban private children’s homes and orphanages demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare and safety of its most vulnerable citizens. By phasing out these institutions and implementing proper regulations, the government is taking a decisive step to combat child trafficking, ensuring a brighter and more secure future for the nation’s children.
BBC/Jide Johnson.
