Kiambu moves to protect Early Learning gains through new ECDE law

Early childhood education in Kiambu County has entered a new chapter following the enactment of the Kiambu County Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Act, a law aimed at protecting investments made in foundational learning and guaranteeing continued support for young learners.

The legislation, championed by Kiambu Town Ward MCA and County Assembly Majority Leader Wanjiru Francis Koina, seeks to institutionalize funding and management of ECDE centres across the county, ensuring future administrations maintain standards already achieved in the sector.

Speaking after the law was signed, Koina said the initiative was informed by the difficult conditions many children faced in the past, including inadequate classrooms, limited learning resources, and poor access to quality early childhood education.

She recalled that many learners previously studied in unfavourable environments, while some parents struggled to provide basic necessities such as school uniforms and learning materials.

According to the MCA, significant progress has been made since the county government assumed responsibility for ECDE programmes, with hundreds of modern classrooms constructed and equipped to provide a conducive learning environment for children.

“We wanted to ensure that the improvements witnessed in our ECDE schools are protected through legislation so that every child receives quality education regardless of changes in leadership,” she said.

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The new law requires annual budgetary allocations for ECDE institutions and establishes a framework for capitation funding to support every learner enrolled in county-run centres.

Under the Act, schools will receive funding for educational materials, feeding programmes, and other essential services. County officials say the legislation will guarantee the continuous provision of books, stationery, and nutritional support including porridge, eggs, and milk for learners.

Koina emphasized that the law promotes equity by ensuring children in both urban and rural parts of Kiambu benefit equally from county-funded programmes.

Governor Kimani Wamatangi, who signed the legislation into law, described it as a major milestone in securing the future of early childhood education in the county.

He said the Act safeguards reforms implemented by his administration, including improved learning infrastructure, school feeding programmes, free learning materials, and enhanced management of ECDE personnel.

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“The law ensures that the gains we have achieved in the education sector are preserved and continue benefiting future generations of learners,” said the governor.

The governor simultaneously assented to the Kiambu County Agroecology Development Act, 2025, which promotes sustainable agricultural practices and seeks to address challenges associated with climate change, food insecurity, environmental degradation, and declining soil productivity.

He also approved the County Supplementary Budget Two for the 2025/2026 financial year, which reorganizes spending priorities to accelerate development projects and improve service delivery across the county.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the ECDE legislation, describing it as a transformative policy that strengthens early learning and secures critical support programmes for thousands of children across Kiambu.

The enactment of the law positions Kiambu among counties taking proactive steps to enhance foundational education and ensure that investments in young learners remain protected through legal frameworks.

By Felix Wanderi