First parents graduate from Lumos National Positive Parenting Programme in Kenya
09.01.2026
The first cohort of parents completed a 15-week positive parenting training programme in Embu County, Kenya, and graduated late last year, marking a major step forward in giving children across the region the chance to grow up in safe and loving families.
Launched in 2025 by Lumos in partnership with the Kenyan Government, the National Positive Parenting Programme is a landmark initiative designed to equip parents and caregivers with the tools to raise children free from violence, in nurturing and supportive family environments.
Violence against children in the home or community is a major driver of family separation and the institutionalisation of children.
Joseph*, a father of four who graduated with his wife, reflected, “My wife and I used to fight and argue a lot. Our children used to fight among themselves as well. We were excessively harsh to them, but they were still not disciplined. They never used to listen to us and were always late for school.”
Now my wife and I talk to each other respectfully to resolve conflict. We also talk to our children and correct them… There is a great improvement in our marriage and parenting.
– Joseph, father and graduate of the positive parenting training programme.
For Joseph and his wife, the classes were a mirror that revealed how their actions affected their children. His wife, standing proudly beside him, said, “I have never seen my husband this happy and calm. We are a happy family.”
In total, 297 children to date have benefited from their parents taking part in the programme.
Lumos has supported the training of 71 Positive Parenting Facilitators from different localities in Embu County. These facilitators are now training parents in their communities, with support from Lumos. The facilitators have become community champions for positive parenting, ensuring that families are equipped with practical skills to nurture love, respect and communication at home.
This supports Kenya’s commitment to end violence against children, after a 2019 survey on the issue revealed that nearly half of girls and more than half of boys experience some form of violence, often from parents or caregivers.
Currently, 611 more parents are undertaking positive parenting training in different parts of Embu County. The Positive Parenting Programme is part of a broader plan with the Kenyan Government to reach over 40,000 families in Embu County and two million families across Kenya by 2027.
Pictured: Master Facilitator Peter with parents from his first graduating class.
“The journey has just begun, but the transformation is clear: families are healing, children are thriving, and communities are rediscovering what it means to raise children with love,” says Grace Mwangi, Lumos Kenya Country Director.
I am very passionate about the wellbeing of children. I feel proud when parents understand that it is their responsibility to protect children from harm. My dream is to ensure that no child in my community has to be taken into an institution because children belong to families.
– Peter, Positive Parenting Facilitator.
*Name changed.
