In a significant policy shift, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in Kenya has unveiled plans to shutter all children's homes and orphanages across the country. The announcement came from Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore during her visit to the Child Welfare Society of Kenya Temporary Place of Safety, where she met with staff and children on a Saturday.

Cabinet Secretary Bore disclosed that this move is an integral part of the government's Deinstitutionalisation of Children program. She expressed concerns about certain individuals exploiting children's homes for human trafficking activities.

"Deinstitutionalisation of Children is the process of reforming child care systems, which involves the closure of orphanages and children's homes. Instead, we will identify suitable, homely placements for vulnerable children and provide them with support through non-institutional means," Bore explained, outlining the program's objectives.

Under the new initiative, homeless or rescued children will be placed in foster homes identified by the government. Cabinet Secretary Bore pointed out that many countries worldwide have successfully embraced the concept of foster parenting over traditional children's homes.

"This process is gaining acclaim as children tend to thrive best when raised in a home environment," she stated, emphasizing the rationale behind the closure of existing children's homes.

Additionally, Bore highlighted that temporary places of safety will serve as secure spaces for rehabilitation as the government continues the process of reintegrating children into families and communities.

The government's decision to phase out children's homes and orphanages was first announced in November 2022. This move aims to transition children back into family settings and community-based care over a ten-year period, as part of the Care Reform Strategy.

Assistant Director in charge of Care and Reform at the Directorate of Children's Services, Jane Munuhe, emphasized the importance of this transition, citing Kenya's commitment to the United Nations (UN) Convention and Protocols on the rights of children. Munuhe emphasized that local laws and international agreements affirm that family and community environments are the most suitable alternatives for child upbringing. The newly enacted Children's Act reinforces the rights of children to grow up within the embrace of families and communities.