SEATTLE, United States – In a significant and heartfelt decision, Kenyan pastors Steve and Shiku Ndegwa, leaders of the Jubilee Covenant Centre in Seattle, Washington, have adopted three African American brothers from the U.S. foster care system. The adoption, finalized on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center, marks a notable event within the Kenyan diaspora community and casts a spotlight on the pressing needs of children within the American child welfare system.

The Ndegwas, who have served as the lead pastors of the vibrant, multi-national Jubilee Covenant Centre since late 2012, welcomed Karl, 16, Mike, 14, and Rubben, 12, into their permanent family. The couple had been the boys' legal guardians since 2022, providing stability after a period of uncertainty in foster care. This act is particularly noteworthy as adoptions of sibling groups, especially by caregivers of color from diaspora communities, are uncommon.

A Ministry of Diversity and Global Reach

Pastors Steve and Shiku Ndegwa relocated from Sacramento, California, to Seattle in late 2012 to lead the Jubilee Covenant Centre. Under their leadership, the church has grown into a diverse congregation with members from numerous African nations including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa, as well as local U.S. residents. This diversity is a cornerstone of the church's mission to foster global unity and spiritual growth.

The church is also known for its major annual conference held every May, which has attracted influential global ministers over the years. Speakers have included the late Bishop Allan Kiuna and his wife Lady Bishop Kathy Kiuna, Bishop Tudor Bismark, Bishop Noel Jones, and Pastor Donnie McClurkin, positioning the center as a significant spiritual hub in the Pacific Northwest.

A System in Need and a Cross-Cultural Family

The adoption takes place against the backdrop of a strained U.S. child welfare system. According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), over 108,000 children in the foster care system were eligible for adoption in the fiscal year 2024, with many waiting years for a permanent home. Older children and sibling groups face the most significant challenges; approximately two-thirds of children in foster care have at least one sibling in the system, and they are often separated due to a shortage of families willing to take in multiple children.

Research indicates that keeping siblings together leads to better outcomes, including lower risks of failed placements and crucial emotional support. The Ndegwas' decision to adopt all three brothers together preserves their fundamental bond. The Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), which facilitated 654 foster children adoptions in 2024, oversaw the case. The boys' social worker, Allison Monsen, highlighted the rarity and significance of the event.

For the Kenyan community in Washington, estimated to be over 8,700 strong, this adoption is a poignant example of extending Kenyan values of family and community into a new, cross-cultural context. The state does not require adoptive parents to be U.S. citizens, allowing legal residents to adopt from the foster care system after completing necessary training and a home study.

Broader Implications for Kenya and the Diaspora

While this adoption is a local Seattle story, it resonates with the broader Kenyan context. Intercountry adoptions from Kenya to the United States are currently not possible due to a moratorium enacted by the Kenyan government on November 27, 2014, to reform its adoption procedures. This makes the Ndegwas' domestic adoption within the U.S. a unique intersection of Kenyan heritage and American civic life. The story serves as a powerful testament to the Kenyan diaspora's capacity for cross-cultural compassion and community-building, offering a model of proactive engagement in their adopted homelands.

The Ndegwas' long-standing commitment to vulnerable children, with both having sponsored children through Compassion International even before they met, underscores a personal history of compassion that has now culminated in the creation of their new family. Their journey is a profound expression of their faith and a call to action, demonstrating that love and family can transcend national and cultural boundaries.