The government has allocated KSh 8.9 billion to support orphans and vulnerable children in the 2026/2027 financial year as part of a broader social protection programme aimed at strengthening child welfare services amid growing concern over rising cases of missing children and women across the country. The funding is expected to benefit more than 430,000 vulnerable households.
Through the Child Welfare Programme, the government has allocated KSh 503 million to support needy and orphaned children in the 2026/2027 financial year, amid growing concern over rising cases of missing children and women across the country.
The allocation forms part of broader social protection measures aimed at supporting vulnerable groups and strengthening child welfare services.
Cash transfers for elders and vulnerable households
The government has also allocated KSh 25 billion for cash transfers to older persons, targeting more than one million beneficiaries.
Eligible elders will continue receiving a double-month stipend of KSh 4,000 under the programme.
A further KSh 50 million has been allocated to the National Council for Children’s Services.
Eligible beneficiaries will receive payments through designated programmes such as Inua Jamii, with funds transferred through authorized mobile service providers, including Safaricom and Airtel.
Rising concern over missing children
Thousands of children have been reported missing in recent years.
According to data from the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, more than 10,000 children were reported missing as of 2025.
“At the sub-county level, we have been experiencing financial challenges when it comes to funding,” officials involved in child welfare programmes noted.
Government seeks stronger interventions
According to a statement by government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, nearly 22 per cent of reported cases involving missing children remain unresolved.
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The government says the increased budgetary allocation is intended to strengthen support systems for vulnerable children, improve social protection programmes, and enhance interventions aimed at safeguarding children across the country.
By Ochola Victor
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