Millions of Kenyan children under the age of three continue to rely on informal, largely unregulated childcare despite the country’s growing body of laws and policies designed to protect them, a new study by Strathmore University has found.

The research suggests that while Kenya has made important policy commitments, the systems needed to translate those commitments into safe, affordable and accessible childcare remain fragmented.

Childcare has traditionally been viewed as a private family responsibility. However, changing family structures, rapid urbanisation, increasing participation of women in the labour force and rising numbers of single-parent households are steadily transforming it into an important national development issue.

Although Kenya has enacted progressive instruments such as the Children’s Act (2022), the Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (2017) and the National Care Reform Strategy (2022–2032), the study suggests that these initiatives have yet to evolve into a coherent childcare system for the country’s youngest children.

Against this backdrop,  researchers Allan Mukuki, Catherine Ngina Mutava, Gladwinnie Ngatia and Linda Muthoni of the Strathmore Tax Research Centre (STRC) domiciled at the Strathmore Law School, examined how Kenya can strengthen childcare systems for children under the age of three.

Their findings are presented in the policy brief, Strengthening Childcare Systems for Children Under Three in Kenya: Policy Options for Quality, Inclusion and Sustainable Care Delivery.

Of the estimated 4.7 million Kenyan children below the age of three who require care, only about 10 to 15 per cent are enrolled in formal childcare centres. Most depend on parents, relatives or informal caregivers, while between 10 and 12 per cent are left without supervision altogether, exposing them to significant risks to their safety, health and development.

The researchers argue that the consequences extend well beyond individual households. “Inadequate childcare affects children’s early development while limiting women’s participation in the labour market, reducing household productivity and placing additional pressure on social protection systems,” they observe.

Childcare, they further contend, should be viewed as a strategic investment in Kenya’s economic and social development.

The findings paint a picture of a childcare system under increasing strain. While counties are mandated to provide or facilitate childcare services, implementation varies considerably across the country. Of the 13 counties reviewed in the study, only one had enacted a dedicated childcare policy and legislation, while many continue to rely on broader children’s or early childhood development laws that provide only limited guidance on childcare governance.

The absence of a comprehensive national childcare framework has also created significant differences in how counties define, regulate, finance and monitor childcare services. According to the researchers, this has contributed to unequal access to quality childcare, particularly for children with disabilities and families living in vulnerable circumstances.

The urgency of strengthening childcare systems is further amplified by Kenya’s changing demographics. The country’s urban population continues to grow, more women are joining the workforce, and an estimated 380,000 adolescent mothers give birth each year.

At the same time, traditional family support systems that once provided childcare are becoming less reliable, increasing demand for structured, affordable and accessible childcare services.

The researchers also caution that inadequate childcare is no longer simply a social welfare concern but also an economic issue. Without reliable childcare, many parents, particularly women, struggle to participate fully in the labour market. This limits household incomes and undermines national productivity.

The report also cites rising cases of child neglect reported across counties as evidence of the growing pressures facing families. To address these challenges, the researchers recommend developing a comprehensive national childcare policy and framework law to harmonise existing legislation, clarify the responsibilities of national and county governments, and strengthen coordination, financing and accountability across the sector.

They also propose integrating childcare into national and county planning through dedicated budget allocations and sustainable financing mechanisms to improve affordability and expand access.

Recognising that many families already depend on informal childcare arrangements, the study further recommends formally recognising and regulating home-based and workplace childcare models through flexible licensing, caregiver training and quality assurance mechanisms.

It further encourages employers to play a greater role in supporting working families by providing or facilitating childcare services for employees. The recommendations draw on lessons from Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa and Ethiopia, where coordinated childcare systems have expanded access while maintaining quality standards.

Beyond policy reform, the study calls for stronger investment in childcare research, data systems and innovation to support evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement of childcare services across the country.

Ultimately, the researchers argue that strengthening childcare systems for children under the age of three is about much more than expanding childcare centres. It is about building an integrated system that protects children’s rights, supports families, promotes gender equality and contributes to inclusive national development.

As Kenya seeks to improve children’s welfare, expand women’s participation in the workforce and build a more inclusive economy, the Strathmore University study argues that strengthening childcare systems should no longer be viewed as a private family matter. It is a national investment whose benefits extend far beyond the early years of a child’s life.

Article written by Otuma Ongalo