Kenya to adopt comprehensive National Care Policy – official
By Mercy Kachenge, July 17, 2025Kenya is set to be the first country in Africa to adopt a comprehensive National Care Policy, marking a historic step toward recognising and valuing care work that has long remained invisible.
Developed by the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, the policy aims to address the needs of caregivers and those they support, including children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and the terminally ill, while promoting gender equality and economic inclusion.
During the final stakeholder validation workshop, Secretary of Gender at the State Department Josephine Obonyo described the policy as a timely and transformative initiative.
She noted that the process began in 2017 and has involved extensive consultations with state and non-state actors.
Key partners such as UN Women, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) have played a significant role in shaping and supporting the policy.
“This policy comes at a crucial time as it recognises the essential role of caregivers, most of whom are women and girls, to ensure that their work is not only acknowledged but also rewarded. Beyond recognition, it promotes redistribution, allowing caregivers time to engage in other activities that can improve their lives and contribute to the economy,” Dr Obonyo said.
Unaccounted for
Dr Obonyo underscored the need for inter-ministerial collaboration — those who have been on board throughout the development and implementation process — through the state department for Labour and Social Protection.
She emphasised that much of the work done in the care economy remains unaccounted for in national economic planning, despite its centrality to societal functioning.
“When women have to leave formal employment or sacrifice opportunities to provide care, it not only affects their careers but also has a ripple effect on national productivity,” she explained.
Obonyo also highlighted the need to protect Kenyan caregivers working abroad, especially in the Gulf, where many face difficult conditions.
The policy provides a framework to address their well-being holistically, offering both protection and support.
Director for Social Empowerment at the State Department, Grace Wasike, described the policy as a bold commitment to gender justice and economic reform.
“Kenya is declaring that unpaid and underpaid care work can no longer be overlooked; this is a game changer for women, who carry the greatest burden in caregiving,” she said.
Wasike pointed to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), which reveals that women spend nearly five times more hours on unpaid care work than men.
This imbalance, she noted, leads to time poverty, limiting women’s ability to engage in income-generating work, education, or leadership.
Practical solutions
The director highlighted the National Care Policy proposals, which offer practical solutions.
These include the establishment of community-level respite centres and hospices, training for informal caregivers, and the formal recognition, representation, and fair compensation of domestic workers, including migrants.
It seeks to address the needs of children under four not yet enrolled in early learning programs, persons with disabilities, elderly people left behind as younger relatives migrate for work, and terminally ill patients in need of palliative or community-based care.
In addition to addressing local challenges, the policy is aligned with broader development goals. It supports Kenya’s Vision 2030, specifically the Fourth Medium Term Plan, by aiming to reduce time poverty and promote women’s participation in the economy.
Internationally, it contributes to targets set by the AU Gender Equality Strategy, which focuses on redistributing unpaid care work and advancing gender equity.
Obonyo urged the need to move beyond validation and ensure that this policy delivers real change on the ground.
Wasike urged the counties to take ownership.
“This is more than a policy document. It is a pathway to improving lives. Every county must commit to putting this into action.”
Once adopted, the National Care Policy will not only transform the way Kenya supports care work but also set a powerful example for the rest of the continent.
By placing care at the centre of public policy, Kenya is leading the way in building an inclusive, gender responsive, and resilient society.