By Purity Njoki.
At just 12 years old, Daniel (not his real name) had already learnt what it meant to carry responsibilities beyond his years. Together with his younger sister who was four at the time, they were found wandering in Kiambu town after a period of severe neglect. At an age when he should have been focused on school, play and friendships, Daniel had instead taken on the responsibility of caring for his younger sister. He was also forced to cook and do household chores whenever their mother was away.
A concerned well-wisher reported the situation to Kiambu Police Station, prompting immediate intervention. The children were referred to the Kiambu Children’s Office for assessment and support. Preliminary inquiries indicated that they were without adult supervision and in need of care and protection. As an immediate measure, Daniel and his younger sister were placed in foster care while efforts were made to establish a suitable long-term care and protection plan.
However, adjusting to a new environment was not easy for Daniel especially at school. Being older than most of his classmates and experiencing bullying affected how Daniel interacted with others. At one point, he began physically attacking his classmates. Beneath the aggression was a child who was struggling to express what he was going through and longing to be heard. It was through counselling that Daniel began to open up about the bullying and exclusion he had experienced. He explained that his aggression had become a way of responding to feelings of powerlessness and frustration. With support, he learnt healthier ways of managing difficult emotions and responding to conflict. His teachers also committed to supporting his integration and monitoring his progress.
But even as Daniel adjusted to foster care, his heart remained with his family. During counselling, he spoke emotionally about missing his mother and sisters. Hearing that his mother had welcomed another baby brought him great happiness and showed how deeply connected he remained to his family. For Daniel, the hope of being reunited with his family never disappeared.
In June 2025, after working closely with the family and the Children’s Office, a reunification plan was put in place. Daniel’s mother and extended family were engaged to assess whether they could safely support the children’s return home. The family agreed to help the mother relocate closer to her sister, support the children’s school needs and stand by her as she rebuilt her capacity to care for them.
It was on 26th June 2025 that Daniel was reunited with his mother and younger sister in Marurui, where his mother had relocated to be closer to family support. The home was found to be clean and well organised, and his mother expressed her happiness for having her children back and her commitment to caring for them. The transition also included practical support to ensure Daniel could continue his education. Efforts were made to secure his transfer from his previous school to a school closer to his new home. The receiving school eventually agreed to admit him despite having limited space. For Daniel, this was more than a school transfer. It meant that, he could return to school while living with his family.
But coming home did not mean that every challenge disappeared. During a recent follow-up visit, the family was found to be happy together, but financial struggles remained. The mother had tried running a small egg-selling business, but most of the little profit went towards food. She eventually turned to doing laundry to provide for her children. From a conversation with Daniel in regard to how he felt being at home, his response was clear: he did not want to be separated from his family. He was happy to be home.
His story reminds us that reunification is not the end of a child’s journey. It is the beginning of another chapter. Families need continued emotional, social and economic support to remain strong and provide children with a safe and nurturing environment. At Child in Family Focus – Kenya (CFFK), we continue to walk alongside families like Daniel’s, helping them build stability and create an environment where children can grow and thrive. Sometimes, coming home does not mean that everything is perfect. It simply means a child has a family, a place to belong and the support to face life’s challenges together.