By Agnetta Okwemba
Kwale County has partnered with TheirWorld, a global children’s charity, and Fanikisha Foundation to enhance Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) in the region.
Governor Fatuma Achani said the county faces challenges in improving ECDE due to inadequate funding from the national government, adding that the new partnership will help bridge the gap.
“The financial constraints have slowed down our progress, but with this collaboration, we aim to strengthen our ECDE programs and provide a solid foundation for our children,” Achani said during a visit by representatives from the organizations.
TheirWorld President Justin van Fleet commended Kwale County’s efforts in investing in ECDE, calling it a model for other governments in Kenya, Africa, and beyond.
Kwale County has a total of 920 ECDE centers, with 570 newly built schools and approximately 917 teachers employed on permanent and pensionable terms.
TheirWorld, founded in 2002, is dedicated to ending the global education crisis.
The organization launched its Act for Early Years campaign in April 2023, emphasizing the importance of quality education during a child’s formative years.
“During our campaign, we realized that funding across the borders is not enough to support these children yet this is a period in their life when the brain is developing however less than 2% of our education budget goes to pre-school education,” van Fleet said.
The campaign focuses on 350 million children worldwide who lack access to early childhood care and development.
Governor Fatuma Achani, TheirWorld President Justin Van Fleetogether and Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo
Governor Achani announced that the first initiative under the partnership would be amending the ECDE law enacted in 2016, ensuring it aligns with current needs.
Achani noted that the next step is public participation, allowing citizens to contribute their proposals before the law goes through the legislative process.
“Our partnership with TheirWorld is not only for making the law but also as a funding tool,” she added.
Beyond policy reforms, Achani highlighted the unique features of Kwale’s ECDE program, including fully equipped classrooms, playgrounds, porridge, and writing materials for children.
The governor also addressed concerns over the suspension of bursary funds following a court order in Nakuru, stating that the county remains committed to supporting needy students.
“Since devolution, we have prioritized bursaries, and our current budget stands at 500 million Kenyan shillings. In January alone, we distributed 99 million shillings to support students,” she said.
Achani urged residents to remain patient, pledging to advocate for the reinstatement of bursary disbursements.
