Ensuring Inclusive Care Reform for Children with Disabilities in Kenya

 

Source:Pinterest

Is Kenya's implementation process of care reform adequately prepared to cater for children with disabilities? 

Despite conducting a population census every ten years, Kenya lacks clarity on the categorization and inclusion of children in residential care. The census reports do not provide data on institutionalized children, making it challenging to account for them accurately. Interestingly, the country still remains largely unaware of the actual number of vulnerable children in institutionalized or non-institutionalized settings, despite regular population and household census efforts. 

In 2020, the National Crime Research Centre, in collaboration with the State Department of Children Services, made the first-ever attempt to census children in residential care institutions. This study aimed to shed light on the status of child protection in Charitable Children's Institutions (CCIs) across Kenya, which have attracted significant government attention due to their widespread presence. A number of Kenyan children in need of care and protection end up in residential care institutions. 

According to the recent 2019 population census, Kenyan children make up 46.0% of the population, comprising 11 million boys, 10 million girls, and 592 intersex individuals. Statistics from the State Department of Children's Services estimate that at least 30.0% of these children require care and protection. 

However, the National Crime Research Centre study, which only sampled 24 counties, cannot serve as a reliable basis for decision-making. Therefore, without accurate data on the current number of children in residential care, it becomes challenging for the government and its partners to effectively plan and allocate resources for care reform.

Moreover, Kenya's care reform efforts have drawn significant inspiration from Rwanda's successful de-institutionalization practices. However, a crucial lesson learned from Rwanda's experience is that a majority of children left behind in institutions were those with disabilities. Did Kenya took this lesson into consideration when planning its own care reform initiatives?

Numerous studies have demonstrated that reintegrating children with disabilities can be a costly endeavor, particularly when basic services that should ideally be available to everyone in the community are lacking. Moreover, it has been shown that if a government or partner focuses solely on providing specialized social services to children with disabilities, the practicality, expense, and sustainability of such efforts become challenging. 

The National Crime Research Centre study discovered that 27.2% of children in residential care institutions were there due to disability-related reasons.

To ensure a successful care reform strategy that adheres to the principle of "no one is left behind," two key steps should be taken. Firstly, investment in general basic services must be prioritized to address the push and pull factors that lead to institutionalization. These basic services encompass accessible education, healthcare, food and nutrition, and child care services.

By establishing a strong foundation of these services, the subsequent inclusion of additional services for reintegrating children with disabilities, such as accessible infrastructure, special needs teachers, therapists, and assistive devices, will be more feasible and cost-effective.

In conclusion, Kenya's care reform implementation faces challenges in effectively addressing the needs of children with disabilities. The experience of Rwanda's de-institutionalization efforts highlights the importance of considering children with disabilities, who often remain in institutions. To ensure an inclusive and successful care reform strategy in Kenya, it is crucial to learn from this lesson and integrate it into the planning process.

Reintegrating children with disabilities can be a costly endeavor, particularly in the absence of essential community services. Focusing solely on specialized services for children with disabilities proves to be impractical, expensive, and unsustainable. Therefore, a comprehensive approach is necessary.

The National Crime Centre study discovered that approximately 27.2% of children in residential care institutions in Kenya had disabilities. To address this issue and leave no child behind, two key steps should be taken. Firstly, investing in accessible education, healthcare, nutrition, and child care services for all children within the community is crucial. These general basic services serve as the foundation for addressing the factors that contribute to institutionalization.

Secondly, it is vital to enhance specialized services tailored to the needs of families and children with disabilities. This includes accessible infrastructure, special needs teachers, therapists, and assistive devices. By combining general basic services with targeted support, the reintegration of children with disabilities becomes more feasible, cost-effective, and sustainable.

To ensure the success of care reform in Kenya, the government and its partners must prioritize these actions. By doing so, children with disabilities will receive the necessary support and opportunities to thrive.