The Kisumu County Government has pledged immediate support to Mama Ngina Children’s Home following a fire that razed down the facility’s boarding section on Tuesday evening, leaving dozens of children displaced.
Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, who visited the home on Wednesday morning, assured the management and residents that the county would extend humanitarian assistance and support the rebuilding of the damaged infrastructure.
During the visit, Centre Manager Ms. Hellen Apiyo briefed the delegation on the extent of the damage and the ongoing arrangements to shelter the children temporarily at Agape Children’s Home.
“The county government stands firmly with the management and the children during this difficult time,” Dr. Owili said, adding that reconstruction efforts would begin immediately to ensure learning and daily care services resume without interruption.
Dr. Owili commended the county’s emergency and firefighting units for their swift and professional response, which successfully contained the blaze and ensured the safety of all children and staff.
He was accompanied by CECM for Finance George Okong’o, Deputy City Manager Charles Omollo, Protocol Director Bob Madanji, and other county officials.
National Focus on Child Safety in Care Institutions
The incident comes amid renewed efforts by the national government to strengthen the safety and management of children’s homes and charitable institutions across the country.
Through the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs, the government has been rolling out reforms under the National Care Reform Strategy for Children in Kenya (2022–2032), which seeks to shift from institutional care toward family- and community-based protection systems.
The reforms emphasize strict compliance with safety standards, emergency preparedness, and structural integrity of children’s homes.
All registered child-care facilities are required to establish fire safety plans, conduct regular risk assessments and ensure that their buildings meet the Public Health and Disaster Management regulations.
Social Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari recently noted that the reforms are designed to “ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing and protective environment.”
He said the government is working closely with counties, faith-based organizations and development partners to strengthen oversight and emergency response systems within children’s institutions.
Rebuilding Hope in Kisumu
The Kisumu County Government has pledged to collaborate with the national administration in ensuring compliance with safety and child welfare standards as part of its reconstruction efforts at Mama Ngina Home.
Dr. Owili reaffirmed the county’s commitment to align its child protection programs with the national care reform framework, saying the tragedy had underscored the need for enhanced safety audits, continuous training of caregivers and modern firefighting infrastructure in all children’s facilities.
“Our focus is not just to rebuild walls, but to rebuild hope and to ensure that our children live, learn and grow in safety,” he said.
