Church leaders in Kenya have thrown their weight behind the government's proposal to close down all children's orphanages nationwide.
Under this new initiative, the government aims to reunite children residing in orphanages with their immediate family members, guardians, or relatives.
The church leaders argued that children's homes have subjected children to various forms of abuse, with little or no action taken against the perpetrators.
According to these leaders, instances of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse have been rampant in these institutions, prompting the call for their closure.
The leaders also claimed there had been cases of child trafficking, something which the leaders noted was quite alarming.
Some of the orphanages have been accused of employing unscrupulous people whose aim is to take advantage of donor funding.
“They do not genuinely support children who are orphaned or who find themselves without family support,” noted one of the bishops.
Selastine Nthiani, Manager of the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, remarked that the government's evolving approach to children's care aligns with an international trend.
“The world is moving away from institutional care of children to family- and community-based care,” she noted.
The proposal was first made in 2023 when the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection announced plans to close all children's homes in the country.
According to the Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore, some individuals were taking advantage of the children’s homes to engage in human trafficking.
“This process is being hailed as Children can thrive best when raised in at best in a home,” the CS explained.
