A group of managers and owners of Charitable Childcare Institutions (CCIs) in Nakuru are urging the government not to rush into implementing the new reforms on children's homes before the necessary mechanisms are in place.

They argue that more sensitisation of key stakeholders and the community is needed to ensure success.

There are currently over 80 children's homes in Nakuru County. The new Children Act 29 of 2022 came into force after the repeal of the previous Act of 2001.

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Under the new Act, the government has embarked on reforms aimed at moving away from the current institutionalised care of vulnerable children to family-based care.

This means that children will have a limited stay in child care institutions and children's homes before being integrated into families.

Speaking during a sensitisation training, Michael Sasi, the Nakuru County CCI's in charge, says that more training will be conducted to ensure that managers of children's homes are aware of the reforms and guidelines that the government has put in place.

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"This training is crucial as it focuses on key provisions of the new Children Act 2022. As CCIs, we need to familiarise ourselves with the Act and the reforms that come with it," says Mr Sasi.

He says the implementation of the reforms is key to the realisation of the full protection of children's rights. He revealed that the community will also be sensitised on how to accept the children who will be reintegrated into family-based care systems.

According to Winny Awuor, the director of Agape Children's Home in Nakuru, there are other components that come in play when reintegrating children into family-based care such as spiritual care, counselling and reconciliation, and monitoring.

"When the government says we are now focusing on family-based care, it simply means reintegrating these children who have been in children's homes and centres back into their families. This requires concerted efforts such as more family strengthening officers to help prevent conflict," she said.

For his part, Erick Langat - an officer working with Charitable Childcare Institutions in Nakuru - urged the government to work closely with the current CCIs.

Erick Langat-a manager of a Childcare Institutions in Nakuru.

Photo credit: Pristone Mambili/Mtaa Wangu

He points out that the move to close the institutions as a way of promoting family-based care may not work, as most of the problems that lead children to seek refuge in these institutions have yet to be addressed.

"If we don't address what is causing these children to find themselves in children's homes, then even if we close the institutions, we may not have solved the situation because it's like closing hospitals but not addressing the diseases," said Mr Langat.

According to Nakuru West Sub County Children's Officer Mercy Nyaboke, the new reforms are aimed at ensuring better care for children.

She adds that the process of inspecting homes in line with the new Children's Act 2022 is ongoing.

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Nakuru children's home owners push for awareness of new Children Act 2022 for family-based care

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Pristone Mambili