The Kiambu County Assembly has endorsed the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Bill 2025, a significant piece of legislation championed by Francis Koina, establishing a comprehensive legal framework to regulate and enhance early childhood education throughout the county.
Approved during a special Assembly session, the Bill now requires Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s assent to become law.
The proposed legislation aims to set clear guidelines for the management, regulation, and advancement of ECDE services in both public and private institutions across the county. It also intends to improve access to quality early childhood education, enhance teacher welfare, standardize capitation, and safeguard the rights and welfare of children enrolled in ECDE centers.
Following the Bill’s passage, Koina conveyed appreciation to Members of the County Assembly, the Department of Education, and other stakeholders who supported the legislation throughout its extensive process.
“Today I am very grateful for the ECDE Bill, which has taken me more than two and a half years. We have walked a long journey with the Department of Education and relevant stakeholders,” stated Koina.
He mentioned that the Bill underwent broad public engagement with education stakeholders, civil society organizations, and community groups, including Bunge Mashinani, whose recommendations were integrated into the final document.
According to Koina, the new law introduces regulations governing the establishment and operation of ECDE centers, ensuring all institutions meet required standards before receiving operational licenses.
“The Bill is there mostly to regulate how ECDE education is run both in public and private institutions. Anyone wishing to establish an ECDE centre will now have to do so under the new law,” he explained.
The Kiambu Township MCA highlighted that the legislation also places significant emphasis on the welfare of ECDE teachers and non-teaching staff, while guaranteeing children receive quality education and proper nutrition.
He emphasized the county’s ongoing school feeding program, which currently provides porridge, milk, and eggs to ECDE learners, noting that the Bill mandates nutritionists to ensure meals meet the dietary requirements necessary for children’s growth and development.
“Under the leadership of Governor Wamatangi, we have been able to provide nutritious food to children in ECDE centres. The nutrition department will ensure whatever we feed our children meets all the required standards,” Koina added.
The law further provides for enhanced learning infrastructure and facilities in ECDE centers, including playgrounds, swings, and adequate classrooms for PP1 and PP2 learners. Koina mentioned that the county has also been supplying exercise books and pencils to learners to support free and compulsory pre-primary education.
He observed that the improvement of ECDE facilities had already resulted in increased enrollment in public institutions, with many parents transferring their children from private schools to county-run ECDE centers.
“Most parents previously preferred private schools, but today our public ECDE centres have quality classrooms, playing grounds and learning materials, which are attracting more learners,” he said.
The legislation also establishes Boards of Management for ECDE centers to oversee operations and ensure the needs of learners are properly addressed. Additionally, it creates a capitation framework under the County Revenue Fund to standardize financial support allocated per learner.
Another major provision in the Bill is the establishment of an independent tribunal to handle disputes and incidents arising in ECDE institutions, including matters affecting children, teachers, and staff.
Koina described the legislation as one of the most comprehensive ECDE laws enacted by any county government in Kenya, noting that early childhood education is a fully devolved function under the Constitution.
During the Assembly debate, Members commended the Bill as a significant advancement toward improving the quality and management of ECDE services in Kiambu County.
Lawrence Mwaura of Ting’ang’a ward, who moved the motion, stated that the County had previously relied on national government guidelines that did not adequately address local needs.
“We have achieved greatly on ECDEs so far. The County has been using frameworks from the national government which at times are not in sync with the intended county programs,” Mwaura said.
He added that the Bill adequately addresses key concerns including teacher employment, feeding programs, and capitation.
Riabai ward MCA Hezron Gachui mentioned that the legislation complements ongoing ECDE infrastructure development projects being undertaken by the county government.
Members also raised concerns about insecurity in ECDE centers and called for increased budgetary allocation to enhance safety for learners.
Karuri ward MCA Peter Wainaina noted that parents have largely borne the burden of providing security in ECDE institutions and urged the County Government to allocate more funds toward the sector.
MCAs further emphasized the need for the County Government to secure ownership of land hosting ECDE centers to prevent future disputes with neighboring institutions and other stakeholders.
Koina thanked fellow MCAs and the relevant Assembly committees for supporting the Bill, stating that Kiambu County had for years operated without a comprehensive legal structure governing ECDE services.
He assured the Assembly that critical issues touching on teacher welfare, capitation, infrastructure, and security had been comprehensively addressed before the Bill was tabled for debate.
The legislation now awaits Governor Wamatangi’s assent before it officially becomes law and begins guiding the implementation and management of ECDE services across Kiambu County.