By Judith Obondo
The future of every community begins with how it nurtures its youngest members. In Siaya County, this responsibility is increasingly becoming a shared commitment, with government departments and development partners coming together to strengthen nurturing care for Early Childhood Development (ECD).
This commitment was reaffirmed when the Siaya Nurturing Care for ECD Multi-Sectoral Team held an engaging and productive meeting today to assess progress, reflect on emerging challenges and chart the way forward for improving services for young children across the county.
The county secretary Ms Elizabeth Adongo,in her opening remarks appreciated the governor James Orengo together with the first lady Mrs Betty Murungi for prioritizing ECD. She went ahead and emphasized that the first a thousand days of a child's life are very critical thus care givers and mothers should be provided with comprehensive knowledge. These words were supported by Director Governance Administration and ICT Mr Okello George, who added that there is need for bringing new ideas, new interventions for more success of this team.
The meeting provided an opportunity for various departments to review their ongoing activities and achievements while examining the implementation of the Siaya Nurturing Care for ECD Strategic Plan 2026–2030. The team also reviewed the status report and work plan for Centers of Excellence, which are expected to demonstrate practical approaches to creating supportive environments where children can learn, play and develop.
Presentations from different departments offered a comprehensive picture of the county's progress in nurturing care. Beyond celebrating achievements, the discussions created space for departments to openly share challenges affecting implementation and identify areas requiring greater attention and collaboration.
Representatives from the two municipalities also shared their achievements, success stories, challenges and plans for the coming period. The exchange of experiences demonstrated that nurturing care requires more than the efforts of one department or institution; it calls for coordinated action across sectors and communities.
Development and implementing partners have continued to play an important role in advancing this agenda. SWANET, ADS Nyanza, CAGYHP, KMET and SCORE ECD were among the partners that shared updates on their ongoing interventions and contributions towards improving the well-being and development of children in Siaya.
SCORE ECD, headed by Sister Rose Nancy, highlighted its participation in World Breastfeeding Week activities and Malezi Bora training, which reached a significant number of caregivers. Such interventions are helping to strengthen knowledge and practices among parents and caregivers, reinforcing the importance of responsive care during the formative years of a child's life.
At the heart of the discussions was the Siaya Nurturing Care for ECD Strategic Plan 2026–2030. The plan carries an ambitious but fundamental vision: to ensure that all children in Siaya County survive and thrive, while transforming their health and unlocking their future human potential.
The strategic plan is expected to provide a framework for tracking progress across departments and ensuring that commitments translate into measurable action. Departments that are yet to submit their reports will be followed up, with the information expected to strengthen monitoring and accountability as implementation progresses.
The meeting which was lead by the MST chair, also provided an opportunity to recognize institutions that are demonstrating promising practices as Centers of Excellence. Bondo Township Primary was commended for its good learning and play materials, which contribute to creating an environment where children can learn while developing through play.
Yala Sub-county Hospital was similarly recognized for its nurturing environment, including well-maintained corn gardens and productive fruit trees.
As the county moves forward, however, the team recognizes that some communities require more targeted attention. Fishing and mining communities were identified as priority areas where many young children face neglect and safety challenges. The meeting noted concerns around inadequate parental responsibility and the vulnerability of children in these settings.
The discussions underscored a central message: nurturing care is a collective responsibility. Government departments, municipalities, development partners, parents, caregivers and communities all have a role to play in shaping the conditions in which children grow.
For Siaya, the journey towards achieving nurturing care for every child is therefore not simply about implementing a strategic plan. It is about building a county where every child regardless of where they are born or the circumstances surrounding their upbringing has the care, protection, stimulation, health and support they need to survive and thrive.
In attendance were the representatives from the State department of children services, Civil registration department, NGAO and Judith Auma from SIBOWASCO.