By Matilda Atieno
The profound impact of grassroots entrepreneurship on child welfare took centre stage in Kisumu today as the Kidogo Annual Gala 2025 unfolded. The County Government joined partners and stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of nearly 2,000 Mamapreneurs and Papapreneurs whose small businesses are providing quality, affordable childcare for over 55,000 children across Kenya.
The colourful event, held at the Ofafa Jericho Memorial earlier today, saw attendees dressed in vibrant African attire, symbolizing the cultural richness and local ownership of the childcare model.
The gala recognized Kidogo’s innovative social franchising approach, which transforms informal daycares into structured, high-quality learning environments while simultaneously creating sustainable livelihoods for the caregivers.
The synergy between the Kidogo network and the County education mandate was a key theme of the day, emphasizing that early childhood care is the foundation of future academic success.
Mr. Thadius Omolo, the Deputy Director of Early Childhood Development (ECD) praised the initiative, noting that the Mamapreneurs are the unsung heroes of our foundational education system. The quality of care and early learning they provide direct impacts a child’s readiness for primary school. By investing in training and mentoring, Kidogo is essentially helping us achieve our own strategic goal: ensuring every child in Kisumu is developmentally on track. The County Government salutes this entrepreneurial spirit and its commitment to nurturing our next generation of leaders from the very start.
The celebration highlighted how Kidogo’s adherence to health and nutrition standards acts as a vital public health intervention in low-income communities.
The celebration highlighted how Kidogo’s adherence to health and nutrition standards acts as a vital public health intervention in low-income communities.
Mr. Elijah Oyola, the county health promotion officer representing the CECM for Health, underscored the public health dividend. Mr Oyola, in his remarks, stated that high-quality childcare is essential preventative medicine. “By ensuring children are in safe, hygienic, and nutritionally sound environments as certified by the Kidogo model, we are proactively combating issues like malnutrition, stunting, and the spread of preventable diseases. This network is a powerful partner in advancing the health agenda of Kisumu County, allowing working parents to pursue their livelihoods with peace of mind, knowing their children are safe and thriving. Their work directly improves our community health metrics.” Said Mr. Oyola.
A highlight of the celebrations was the recognition of top-performing entrepreneurs across different categories, showcasing the diversity and adaptability of the Kidogo network in terms of Home-Based Care. Recognized for providing personalized, quality care within a residential setting, often supporting the youngest children. School-Based Care, honored for integrating childcare services within established educational institutions, improves continuity of learning and Centre-Based Care: Celebrated for operational excellence in dedicated, scaled childcare facilities.
The loudest applause was reserved for the Ahero community, which was recognized as the Most Improved in the network, demonstrating a huge leap in adopting quality standards, health protocols, and entrepreneurial practices.
The celebration affirmed the county government’s dedication to supporting grassroots leaders who are changing the trajectory of thousands of children’s lives by proving that the care economy is a critical driver of social equity and national development.