National policy on orphans and vulnerable children: Republic of Kenya - Draft 3

National policy on orphans and vulnerable children: Republic of Kenya - Draft 3

The HIV/AIDS pandemic, alongside other forms of socio-economic deprivation is a major contributor towards susceptibility of the Kenyan family today. The plight of children is at stake with the number of orphans being expected to rise to two million by 2010, with HIV/AIDS contributing up to 60% of the total cases. These children have indeed limited access to psychosocial and economic support, leading them to being the most vulnerable of our Kenyan society.

In response to this a National Steering Committee (NSC) on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) was constituted in May 2004, to deliberate upon interventions. The Committee is headed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. A rapid assessment on the state of OVC was carried out in June 2004, with the support of various development partners. The report of this assessment informed on the regrettable vulnerability of children, demanding immediate action. Consequently the NSC noted the need to come up with a national policy on OVC to steer intervention.