LUMOS IN KENYA

Sadly, the majority of children in institutions in Kenya have family who they could live with if given adequate support, which is why our work in Kenya is crucial. There are many reasons as to why a child might end up in an institution or orphanage in Kenya, including:

• Poverty
• Food insecurity
• Disability
• HIV/AIDS
• Displacement
• Abuse, neglect and abandonment
• Voluntourism

Lumos started to work in Kenya in May 2018 by co-hosting the first ever training course on Transforming Care with the Department of Children’s Services—drawing together 60 key participants, inlcuding government, local and international NGOs, and practitioners.

Lumos continues to offer strategic technical guidance, support and training on transforming care systems to ensure high level adoption and holistic implementation of transforming care systems in Kenya

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

CONTRIBUTING TO KENYA'S National Care Reform Strategy

The Kenyan Government has demonstrated commitment to transitioning away from institutions and towards family and community-based care by developing a National Care Reform Strategy, which Lumos contributed together with other partners under the Leadership of the National Council for Children Services.

Supporting a long–term plan of Family and Community–Based Care 

On 8 June 2022 the Government of Kenya launched the 2022-2032 National Care Reform Strategy for Children.The goal is to transition away from the current system to one where most children and young people in need of care and protection live safely, happily and sustainably in family and community-based care.

BACKING LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN

The Government of Kenya has enacted a new Children’s law on 6th July 2022, Children’s Act, 2022 which expands the legal backing towards child protection in Kenya. The law has also strengthened Care Reform by providing a 10-year transitional period in line with the National Care Reform Strategy.This is a huge milestone for Kenya and the region.

PRIORITIES FOR THE FUTURE

Lumos continues to provide technical guidance and capacity building to both state and nonstate actors towards the implementation of the Care Reform Strategy at national and county levels.

LUMOS KENYA: A FAMILY FOR ALL CHILDREN