In a momentous gathering, government officials, stakeholders, and partners converged at Safari Park hotel in Nairobi on 26th- 27th September, 2023 celebrates the remarkable achievements of the National Care Reform Programme's first year of implementation. The event, organized under the guidance of the National Council for Children’s Services (NCCS), highlighted Kenya's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of the nation's children.
Addressing the gathering, Principal Secretary State Department of Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Mr Joseph Motari,MBS, stated, "I am honored to stand before you today as we reflect on our collective and individual contributions to the implementation of the Care Reform Programme. "
National Care Reforms Strategy is in alignment with the constitution, the Children Act, 2022 and the Bottom Up Agenda targeting households with children who have transitioned from institutional care through the ongoing scaling up of the Inua Jamii.
The State Department recently launched the Positive Parenting Programme aimed at promoting parenting methods that prevent separation and facilitate children's growth and development within families. Which is the responsibility of the parents/caregiver to ensure every child has a family and taken care of.
Mr Motari underscored the crucial role of partners such as Changing The Way We Care, UNICEF, Stahili Foundation, Lumos, Legatum, SOS, FADV, the Catholic Diocese of Meru and Muranga, and Weza Care in supporting the efforts. He also commended the strengthening of the legal framework, financing, leadership, coordination structures, and workforce capacity at the national level.
The conference witnessed a momentous proposal to make this gathering an annual tradition, expanding its reach to engage even more stakeholder to continue the transition from institutional care to family and community-based care,and ensuring sustainable improvements in the childcare system.
By: Selly Muhonja - PCO
