700,000 children at risk of being homeless as gov't slashes child welfare funding
Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, who appeared before the committee, admitted that he had tried to convince the Cabinet to reconsider the decision but was unsuccessful.
Hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children in Kenya face an uncertain future following a government decision to cut funding to the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK).
The move, part of a broader plan to merge state-owned agencies and reduce costs, could see 700,000 children lose critical support, including food, shelter, education, and protection from abuse.
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The CWSK, a state-funded agency responsible for rescuing and caring for at-risk children, has warned that the funding cut will force it to stop operations, leaving thousands of children exposed to hardship.
Speaking before the National Assembly's Social Protection Committee on Tuesday, CWSK trustee Ludeki Chweya painted a grim picture of the crisis, highlighting that the organisation can no longer care for the children under its protection.
"We picked some of these babies when they were just two hours old. Where do they go when funding stops?" Chweya posed.
Among those most affected are 2,700 lost children whom the society has been trying to reunite with their families.
Additionally, at least 171,000 children currently in primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities rely on CWSK's educational support.
The cuts will also impact 50,000 children rescued from child labour and 206,000 orphans and children from struggling families.
Chweya further revealed that the organisation is caring for 3,000 abandoned infants under its Rapid Rescue Initiative, many of whom were left at hospitals or dumped by desperate parents.
Without funding, these infants will be left without care, raising concerns over their survival.
The cuts also threaten ongoing child protection projects across the country. CWSK is constructing children's homes in Nairobi, Bungoma, Isiolo, Murang'a, and Nanyuki.
These homes, which are 85 per cent complete, were intended to provide safe accommodation for rescued children. However, Chweya warned that the projects could stall if the government does not reverse its decision.
The National Assembly's Social Protection Committee on February 25, 2025. (National Assembly)
Concerns over children welfare
Members of the Social Protection Committee strongly criticised the government's decision, warning of severe consequences for the affected children.
The committee's chairperson, Alice Ng'ang'a, stressed that child welfare should not be compromised by cost-cutting measures.
"We are not dealing with infrastructure; we are dealing with the children of Kenya. We will have failed as a society if we remain silent," Ng'ang'a said.
She questioned the government's plan for the 700,000 children who depend on CWSK's services. "If we stop the funding, who will take care of them? What will happen to the homes being built?" Ng'ang'a posed.
Committee Vice-Chairperson Hillary Kosgei echoed these concerns, warning that the funding cut could also discourage international donors from supporting Kenya's child welfare initiatives.
"If donors see that the government does not care about its children, why should they continue supporting these programmes? This is risky," Kosgei stated.
Seme MP James Nyikal called for a full impact assessment report from the Cabinet, arguing that such a major policy shift should not have been made without a clear plan to safeguard vulnerable children.
Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, who appeared before the committee, admitted that he had tried to convince the Cabinet to reconsider the decision but was unsuccessful.
"I spent 20 minutes defending the child welfare funding but was unsuccessful. The mood in Cabinet was that there should be changes in parastatals," Mutua told lawmakers.
Child rights advocates warn that the funding cuts could lead to a surge in child trafficking, forced labour, and homelessness.
With thousands of children facing displacement from safe houses and shelters, the risk of exploitation is expected to rise.
During discussions on the 2025-2026 Budget Policy Statement, legislators expressed deep concern that cutting off support to CWSK could undo decades of progress in protecting vulnerable children.
"The Child Welfare Society of Kenya must continue to be funded," urged MP Susan Ngugi.
Kosgei further emphasised the moral obligation to protect Kenyan children, stating, "If you do not care about your own children, why should donors care?"
The committee is set to hold more discussions with the Cabinet Secretary and other stakeholders in the coming weeks to push for a solution that will ensure the welfare of Kenya's vulnerable children is not compromised.
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