Kenyan county’s actions on early years are an inspiration for others
Theirworld visited Kwale County to see how its leadership on early childhood policies and programmes will have a lasting impact on young children.
In Kwale County, Kenya, local leaders understand the importance of investing in the future of their youngest children. Their strong leadership on early childhood development and pre-primary education has become a model that can inspire others to take action on the early years.
Theirworld’s Act for Early Years campaign has been working with advocates in Kwale County to help spread awareness of the importance of quality childcare and preschool learning. As part of this collaboration, Theirworld visited the area to discuss the successful early childhood programmes and explore ways of promoting Kwale’s innovation as a model for others.
Theirworld President Justin van Fleet met with H.E. Fatuma Achani, the Governor of Kwale County, and other regional leaders. After the visit, he said: “The Governor’s leadership in early years investment is history-making. Kwale County is setting the standard for early childhood policies, proving that smart investment in young children creates lasting impact.
“A plan for new early years legislation will make Kwale a model county for investing in the youngest children. The success in Kwale can inspire counties and countries alike to act for early years.”
Theirworld President Justin van Fleet with H.E. Fatuma Achani, Governor of Kwale County in Kenya, and Christine Mvurya, founder of the Fanikisha Foundation and former First Lady for Kwale County (Theirworld/Dennis Mwangi)
Theirworld representatives learned more about how the county government has implemented early childhood programmes, including through a large network of early childhood education centres.
Governor Achani said: “Our dedicated efforts to improve education have led to an increase in enrolment in early childhood education facilities, allowing more children to access quality education.
“We are proud to have built over 570 early childhood development education (ECDE) centres across the county, equipped with 912 qualified ECDE teachers, learning materials, nutrition programmes and recreational facilities.”
The meeting at the Governor’s Office was also an opportunity to share plans for the Act for Early Years campaign, emphasising Kwale County’s potential to inspire national and international support for early childhood development.
The Theirworld team then visited an early childhood development centre in Matuga subcounty. There they saw the impact of local policies and gathered insights that can inform the development of global best practices.
Theirworld President Justin van Fleet visits the early childhood development and education centre at Matuga subcounty in Kwale County (Theirworld/Dennis Mwangi)
Accompanied by Governor Achani and other government officials, they also went to the Fanikisha Foundation and met with its founder H.E. Madam Christine Mvurya, a strong advocate for women, girls and the early years.
There they discussed the implementation of strategies and partnerships that can support the growth and sustainability of early childhood education programmes, as well as aligning local efforts with global initiatives to ensure Kwale continues to be a beacon for early learning innovation.
Governor Achani said: “As a county, we are currently collaborating with stakeholders like the Fanikisha Foundation to draft a new Act governing the early childhood sector, as the existing 2016 Act is due for amendment.
“I want to affirm my commitment to continue working with stakeholders to enhance the learning environment and ensure that more children are sustained in the ECDE centres.”