By Matilda Atieno
The County Government has taken a decisive step toward safeguarding its youngest citizens by hosting a comprehensive three-day sensitization workshop focused on the formal establishment and registration of childcare facilities in Kisumu.
Organized by the Directorate of ECDE in partnership with the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW), this intensive forum brought together a diverse cohort of stakeholders ranging from grassroots home-based caregivers to high-level state officials. The primary mission of the gathering was to standardize and professionalize early childhood protection across the county, ensuring that every child aged zero to three years receives care that is safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate.
The workshop served as a melting pot of expertise and lived experience as it featured active participation from representatives of both home-based and center-based childcare owners from every corner of the county. These frontline caregivers engaged in deep dialogue with child protection officers from both the county and the state department, alongside representatives from the Lake Region Economic Bloc. The collaboration was further strengthened by the presence of prominent civil society organizations such as KMET, highlighting that childcare is a critical pillar of regional development and human rights that requires a multi-sectoral shield.
Throughout the three-day program, participants explored the intricate legal and regulatory frameworks governing the registration of childcare centers. The sessions were designed to demystify national childcare policies and the Nurturing Care Framework, providing owners with a clear roadmap to transition their facilities into recognized and compliant environments. By bridging the gap between informal care and state-regulated standards, the county is effectively removing traditional barriers to quality service delivery and ensuring that health, nutrition, and hygiene remain at the forefront of early childhood settings.
The event was graced by CECM for Education, Technical Training, Innovation, and Social Services, Hon. John Awiti, who was joined by the Chief Officer, Mr. Bovince Ochieng. In his remarks, the Hon Awiti stated that by empowering these local leaders and caregivers with modern management tools and a deeper understanding of safeguarding protocols, Kisumu is securing a brighter and more resilient future for its youth and the broader local economy.
He likely praised the participants, both home-based and center-based owners, for their dedication to professional growth. “By leaving with clear and personalized roadmaps for their institutions, these leaders are now equipped with the modern management tools necessary to revolutionize childcare provision and remove traditional barriers to progress.” Said Hon Awiti.
The Chief Officer recognized the power of collaboration, thanking partners including COVAW, KMET, and the Lake Region Economic Bloc. He observed that these partnerships are vital for building a sustainable, people-centered technical education and care system that aligns with both national development goals and the specific needs of the local economy. He encouraged the sub-county ECD officers and providers to remain vigilant and proactive in maintaining the high standards of health, nutrition, and safeguarding established during the three-day program.
The County Director of ECD, Madam Wilkister Odera, stated that the development of Quality Improvement Roadmaps (QIRM) is designed to address training needs in areas such as child protection, safeguarding, and social-emotional development.
The presence of the sub-county ECD officers underscored the administration’s firm commitment to building a people-centered education system from the ground up. The workshop concluded with a sense of mission accomplished, reminding stakeholders that the transformation of the sector is an active, ongoing process, underscoring the County Government’s firm commitment to ensuring that no facility operates in the shadows.
