Kikuyu:Kiambu More than forty practitioners from Charitable Children’s Institutions across Kiambu County have completed a comprehensive five-day training program focused on care reform and case management, aimed at enhancing the protection and wellbeing of children in alternative care.
According to Kenya News Agency, the training took place from October 12 to 16, 2026, at the Tumaini Retreat Centre in Kikuyu. It was organized under the Legacy4Children (L4C) Kenya programme and facilitated by GEEP Kenya, the State Department for Children Services, and Kiambu L4C Local Implementing Partner representatives. The initiative, held under the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services, aimed to equip practitioners with the necessary knowledge and skills to align their work with Kenya’s care reform agenda, which focuses on transitioning children from institutional care to family- and community-based environments.
Jane Munuhe, a representative from the National Council for Children’s Services, highlighted the crucial role of CCI practitioners in protecting vulnerable children, urging them to implement the training lessons into their daily practice. She emphasized that care reform requires a shift in mindset to ensure every child grows up in a safe, loving family environment.
The program was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of care reform through practical sessions that included a step-by-step walkthrough of case management processes. Participants engaged in hands-on activities, applying real case management tools and simulating various stages that they may encounter in their work. This approach was meant to build their confidence and competence for immediate application of the skills in their institutions.
Additionally, participants learned about monitoring and evaluation techniques, equipping them to assess and improve case management practices. By the program’s conclusion, they could articulate care reform principles, demonstrate case management proficiency, and apply frameworks to maintain high standards of practice.
The final sessions involved collaborative action plan development tailored to each CCI’s needs, ensuring alignment with national care reform objectives. Facilitators emphasized that these plans would guide future support and accountability.
Participants found the training timely and practical, appreciating the clarity and usability of the tools provided to enhance care quality and decision-making within their institutions. The National Council for Children’s Services, responsible for coordinating children’s welfare in Kenya, played a significant role, reflecting the national commitment to professionalizing child care and maintaining institutional standards.
The Legacy4Children programme continues to drive care reform nationwide, collaborating with GEEP Kenya, the State Department for Children Services, and local partners to strengthen the child protection system through empowered practitioners and robust family support.
