By Purity Njoki
Kenya’s child care system is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from institutional care to family and community-based care. This change, guided by the principles of the National Guidelines for Transitioning the Child Care System in Kenya, Best Interest of the Child (BIC) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) aims to ensure that children grow up in safe, nurturing environments where they can thrive.
While policies and programs are evolving and changing, public understanding of these reforms is crucial for their success. Engaging the media is a key strategy in ensuring accurate com munication, reducing misconceptions and building public support for care reform initiatives.
In recognition of this, Child in Family Focus (CFFK) in collaboration with Legacy for Children (L4C) program partners, the State Department for Children Services and the Kenya News Agency convened a media engagement forum on 16th March, 2026 at the Kiambu County Commissioner’s Hall. The forum brought together local media houses and practitioners to sensitize them on care reform, provide accurate information and strengthen their role in communicating changes within the child care sector. This gathering highlighted the importance of equipping journalists with the knowledge and tools necessary to report responsibly while also creating a space for discussion and clarification on key issues such as the transition of children from institutional care into family and community-based care and transition of the children homes into Child Welfare Programs.
The media has a unique power to shape public perception and influence behaviour. Through responsible reporting, journalists can clarify the purpose and progress of care reform, counter myths such as claims that children’s homes are being “closed down” and highlight the benefits of transitioning children into family and community-based care or supportive welfare programs. Accurate media coverage also provides communities with the knowledge needed to participate in and support child protection efforts. Without proper media engagement, misinformation and misunderstanding may continue potentially undermining care reform which can affect the uptake and effectiveness of child protection initiatives.
As emphasized during the forum, the responsibility carried by the media in reporting on children is extremely important. “A single story about a child can inform the public, influence policy and change lives. But it can also expose a child, reinforce stigma or cause lifelong harm. Journalists, all child experts and media in general carry a special responsibility when reporting on children and child care issues,” Madam Violet Otindo from the Kenya News Agency stated. This highlights the need for ethical, accurate and child-sensitive reporting at all times.
Media practitioners do need more than information alone. They require guidance, tools and ethical frameworks to report responsibly on children. This includes understanding care reform principles, recognizing the importance of child participation and using storytelling approaches that protect children’s dignity, privacy and identity. Well-informed journalists can also identify positive stories of children thriving in families, promote community awareness and connect vulnerable families to support services.
Some practical approaches highlighted during the forum include emphasizing solution-focused stories, using government data portals such as data.childprotection.go.ke for verified information and consulting child protection experts when necessary. Incorporating counselling and psychosocial support for both journalists and the families involved ensures sensitive reporting that prioritizes the well-being of children. When media coverage is ethical, accurate and solution focused, it amplifies public understanding, strengthens trust in government and non-state interventions and supports the overall objectives of care reform.
In conclusion, the Kiambu media engagement forum illustrates the critical role of collaboration between child-focused organizations, government agencies and the media. Engaging the media is essential to advancing care reform in Kenya. By providing journalists with the knowledge, resources and ethical guidance they need, they can ensure that public narratives are accurate, constructive and aligned with the national child protection agenda. Effective media engagement not only informs the public but also inspires communities, policymakers and organizations to work together to create an environment where every child has the opportunity to grow safely, securely and with dignity.