By Lorraine Anyango
Kisumu County is actively working towards ensuring that Nurturing Care is happening for its youngest citizens, steadily implementing a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategy aligned with the global Nurturing Care Framework (NCF). The consistent execution of this crucial development agenda is attributed to the County Director of Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE), Wilkister Oderah.
The strategic focus is informed by key findings from local Nurturing Care assessments, which emphasize the scientific truth that the first years of life are the most critical for brain development. These assessments reinforce that security and opportunities for early learning are particularly crucial in determining a child’s long-term health, educational success, and overall potential. In addition, the Directorate has partnered with organizations like K-MET on projects like “Nurture First” to uplift home-based childcare, a recognition that supportive caregiving must extend beyond formal centres.
The urgency of this work was highlighted at the Multi-Sectoral Technical (MST) Committee review meeting, held on December 3rd, 2025, at the Sovereign Hotel.
During the session, the critical social challenge of teen pregnancies took center stage, identified as a significant threat to the Nurturing Care environment for both the young mothers and their children.
Under Director Oderah’s guidance, the county has made tangible investments across the four pillars of nurturing care.
To ensure safe play spaces and general security, the county is undertaking a massive infrastructure upgrade that includes the construction of 1,000 new, age-appropriate ECD classrooms, guaranteeing children a protected environment for learning. Furthermore, the Directorate oversees annual Creative Activities festivities, using themes like child safety and protection to foster confidence and self-expression in a secure community setting.
In addressing Adequate Nutrition, the component of the framework that ensures children receive appropriate food, the new Kisumu County ECD Act 2023 mandates essential services, including monthly growth monitoring for all learners and the consistent involvement of professional nutritionists.
Director Oderah’s commitment to food security and health is also demonstrated through innovative programs, such as the Health and Nutrition Hackathon, which engages young learners in finding practical, localized solutions to dietary challenges.
Finally, the county is strengthening Early Learning and Responsive Caregiving through professional development and community engagement. The Directorate has bolstered its capacity by employing 700 trained ECDE teachers and is focusing on child-centered teaching methods to maximize every educational opportunity.
Moreover, the widely adopted “Kuwa Kocha” (Be a Coach) campaign serves as a powerful tool for community mobilization, empowering parents and caregivers with practical skills to foster responsive parent-child interaction and early learning, ensuring a supportive care environment in every household. Through these multi-sectoral efforts, the sustained work led by Director Wilkister Oderah is ensuring that all children in Kisumu County are being nurtured to realize their full potential.