In a landmark move to secure the future of its youngest citizens, the Kiambu County Government is pushing for the enactment of the Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) Bill 2025. The proposed legislation marks a decisive shift from viewing nursery education as a peripheral service to establishing it as a legally protected, professional sector.

Governor Kimani Wamatangi has thrown his full weight behind the bill, which seeks to anchor his ambitious education reforms in law. "Early education is the foundation of our society," Wamatangi stated during a recent distribution of learning materials. The bill, sponsored by Kiambu Township MCA Francis Koina, aims to ensure that the gains made in infrastructure and nutrition cannot be rolled back by future administrations.

More Than Just Classrooms

The county’s transformation of the ECDE sector is already visible on the ground. Over 250 new, modern centers have been constructed, with another 274 scheduled for completion by 2026. However, the bill goes beyond bricks and mortar, focusing on the holistic well-being of the learner.

• Guaranteed Nutrition: The bill seeks to legalize the county’s feeding program, which currently provides uji (porridge), boiled eggs, and milk to over 36,000 children. This ensures that hunger is no longer a barrier to learning.
• Free Learning Materials: To relieve the burden on parents, the county has committed to providing all necessary exercise books and stationery, making ECDE truly free.
• Teacher Professionalism: The legislation also proposes a framework for the training and remuneration of ECDE teachers, professionalizing a role that has long been undervalued.

Public Participation

During a public participation forum chaired by MCA Lawrence Mwaura, stakeholders lauded the bill but called for strict enforcement mechanisms. "Laws affecting our children must translate into action," one participant noted. The consensus is clear: Kiambu is setting a national benchmark for early childhood development.

If passed, the ECDE Bill 2025 will not only protect the rights of the child but also cement Kiambu’s reputation as a county that invests where it matters most—in its future.