Kiambu: Kiambu County has begun the process of developing its first-ever Child Protection and Welfare Policy in a move aimed at strengthening systems that safeguard children across the county. The initiative, led by the County Department of Gender and Social Services, is being developed in collaboration with the State Department for Children Services and non-state actors.
According to Kenya News Agency, the policy is currently in the drafting stage following a Technical Working Group meeting that brought together key stakeholders to align strategies and identify gaps in child protection. Speaking to the Kenya News Agency, Director of Gender and Social Services Mary Kilobi said the policy will provide a structured framework to address child welfare issues at the county level while complementing existing national frameworks.
Mary Kilobi highlighted that this is the first policy of its kind for the county, emphasizing the comprehensive and lengthy process involved in its development. She noted that the initiative is designed to strengthen the national government’s Child Care Reforms Policy, which seeks to transition children from institutional care to family and community-based systems.
Kilobi further explained that the county’s approach aims to economically empower households to facilitate the integration of children leaving foster care homes into stable family environments. As part of this approach, the county has already begun supporting vulnerable households with income-generating activities, such as providing chicks and piglets to help families develop sustainable livelihoods.
The policy is expected to enhance coordination between sectors including health, education, and social services, addressing prevalent child protection concerns in the county such as neglect, abuse, violence, and emerging cases of technology-assisted exploitation. Although the policy will not introduce new offices or facilities, Kilobi stated that efforts will be intensified at the ward level to reach more families.
The development of the policy is anchored within the Children Act, 2022, which mandates both national and county governments to protect and promote the rights and welfare of children.
