Kenya's government plans to reunite 44,000 children living in private orphanages and institutions with their families by 2032. The process has already begun and will proceed step by step to avoid risks. Gender and Child Protection Minister Hanna Cheptumo outlined these developments before the Senate.
According to the Ministry of Gender and Child Protection, the process of reuniting children with their families has begun, and the government is monitoring the progress of those already reunited. Speaking before the Senate on November 12, 2025, Hanna Cheptumo stated that the exercise is being implemented in phases until all children in institutions are fully integrated into society.
“We have a strategy through national care reforms to ensure all children are transferred to their families by 2032. However, we are doing this orderly because we cannot return children to environments that have not been properly assessed,” said Cheptumo.
She added: “We ensure the process is done carefully to avoid incidents of violence or child abuse, especially from people who are not used to living with them for a long time.”
She was responding to a question from Nominated Senator George Mbugua on steps to close children's homes and establish a community and family-based care system. This year, the government announced the closure of all private children's homes in the country, as part of reforms through the National Council for Children's Services, to strengthen family and community care.
Government statistics show 902 charitable institutions housing 44,070 children, and 30 government institutions with 1,443 children. Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri asked about strategies for street children, especially in Nairobi, some of whom are involved in child labor. Cheptumo said a census of those children has been completed, with preliminary results showing some are not only Kenyans but citizens of neighboring countries. The ministry will use the report to identify children who can be reunited and those needing rehabilitation or special care.