.jpg)
The national government has outlined a comprehensive 10-year plan aimed at strengthening Early Childhood Development (ECD) across Kenya, focusing on family-centred care, positive parenting, child protection training, and nutrition support programs.
Speaking during the 6th National Early Childhood Development Stakeholders Conference, Carren Ageng’o, Principal Secretary at the State Department of Children Welfare Services, said the government is implementing a range of coordinated programs under the National Care Reform Strategy, which runs from 2022 to 2032.
“We have a care reform strategy, we are calling it the national care reform strategy. It began in 2022 and it is running for ten years up to 2032. The main objective of this reform strategy is to promote family and community-based care because when the family is involved, a child’s development is guaranteed,” said Ageng’o.
According to her, family involvement is at the heart of the reforms, as it creates a stable environment for nurturing children.
The government is also rolling out a Positive Parenting Program alongside a National Male Engagement Framework to encourage more male participation in early child care.
“We believe that with positive parenting, a child’s development will be guaranteed. A child’s development cannot happen without male involvement,” Ageng’o added.
Another critical element of the plan is the Child Protection Management Course currently offered at the Kenya School of Government.
Ageng’o encouraged early childhood workers to enroll, noting that the course equips them with essential skills.
“This course prepares anyone dealing with children to give them the capacity to manage children at an early age,” she said.
The government has also introduced the Niche Program, a nutritional improvement initiative that combines cash transfers with health education, parental support, and child protection services.
“We have the Niche Program, a nutritional improvement program through cash and health education, which has integrated a cash transfer system with parental support and child protection. This program is done with our various development partners, and it is targeting 180,000 households. Currently, we are piloting in 25 counties with an additional 30,000 already receiving training,” Ageng’o revealed.
Through these initiatives, the government aims to create a stronger support system for children from birth, ensuring that they grow in safe, nurturing environments backed by well-trained caregivers and informed parents.