The government has been urged to reconsider the planned phasing out of private children’s homes, as doing so might lead to children sliding back into destitution.
The government, through the National Council for Children’s Services, has been implementing Foster Care Reforms since 2022 to allow children to grow up in family-oriented environments, which are considered more beneficial for their social and emotional development.
The reforms are expected to be fully implemented by 2032, and children currently hosted in children’s homes will be placed in family and community-based care.
Jessica Opisa, founder of Child of Mercy Children’s Home in Likoni, said the home opened its doors 15 years ago with ten children, and over the years, the number has grown. Currently, it is hosting 30 children.
The children are provided with education, shelter, food, medical care, clothing, as well as guidance and counselling.
“We have had more children who have grown up and integrated back into the community and with guardians,” stated Opisa, adding that the children are encouraged to work hard in school to excel academically.
At the moment, she said, there is a challenge with the government closing down children’s homes. “It’s a big challenge for us who are caring for the children; imagine if the institution has been closed down, where wouldthese children go?” she posed.
“Some of these children come from the street, some have been abandoned, and some have been sexually abused by their biological parents. Now they are here being protected and safeguarded,” Opisa added.
She urged the government to rethink the closure plan, stating that placing the children in foster care homes under the current economic conditions will be difficult.
“Who is going to foster a child? In the environment here in Likoni, I don’t think someone will be able to take care of the children because we also depend on well-wishers who come and support us with school fees and food,” she stated.
The founder of Child of Mercy Children’s Home noted that if the children are left to return to the streets, they will not be able to afford their basic needs and may end up scavenging for food in dumping sites.
“The government has to consider that and provide for institutions like this because we know the government has resources to assist NGOs and children here in Kenya. If they don’t, life is going to be a mess for our children,” she said as they received food and stationery donations from DDB, an advertising firm.
Philip Righa, the Local Manager of DDB, said as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, they donated food, clothing, and stationery.
He criticised the proposed plan to close children’s homes, emphasising that many children have found solace in these homes.
“Where will these children go? Most of these children come from vulnerable and broken families,” said Righa. Closing down the homes, he added, will lead to a surge in the number of street children, and the crime rate will also soar.
He urged the county and national government to find a way to support the homes so they can continue to be a haven for children.
