Kiambu County’s early childhood education has advanced significantly with Governor Kimani Wamatangi enacting the Kiambu County Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Act, a pivotal law designed to protect progress in the field and ensure continuous investment in young learners.
Sponsored by Wanjiru Francis Koina, the Kiambu Town Ward MCA and County Assembly Majority Leader, the law establishes standardized funding, infrastructure development, feeding programs, learning materials, and human resource management for all ECDE centers throughout the county.
Following the law’s enactment, Koina explained that the legislation was motivated by the difficulties children and parents previously encountered with insufficient learning facilities and scarce educational resources.
In previous years, our parents found it challenging to create quality learning environments for their children. Numerous schools lacked adequate classrooms, some children attended school without proper footwear, and many families couldn’t afford uniforms or educational supplies. There was minimal encouragement for children to regularly attend school,” he stated.
Koina highlighted how the county government, led by Governor Wamatangi, has revolutionized the ECDE sector by building and furnishing modern classrooms throughout Kiambu. He disclosed that over 500 ECDE classrooms have been completed or are nearing completion.
“These facilities are not merely classrooms. They represent fully prepared learning environments crafted to deliver the education children deserve and establish a solid foundation during their most developmental phase,” he emphasized.
A crucial element of the new legislation is the creation of a guaranteed budgetary allocation for ECDE programs. The law mandates annual funding to maintain facilities and supply necessary learning resources.
The Act also implements structured capitation funding for each learner enrolled in ECDE centers countywide. Koina explained that these resources will help provide textbooks, pencils, and additional learning materials while enhancing the county’s school feeding initiative.
“All children will receive equal benefits, regardless of whether they reside in urban centers or remote rural areas. The legislation guarantees that schools receive funding for books, pencils, daily porridge, eggs, and milk, ensuring no child is left without these essential resources,” he stated.
Governor Wamatangi characterized the law as a significant advancement in securing the future of early childhood education in Kiambu.
“This legislation solidifies the reforms implemented in the ECDE sector, ensuring achievements like quality learning centers, feeding programs, free educational materials, and adequate staffing are legally protected and cannot be undone by future administrations,” the governor emphasized.
Alongside the ECDE Act, the governor also enacted the Kiambu County Agroecology Development Act, 2025, aimed at advancing sustainable agriculture, urban farming, and eco-friendly food production systems.
Wamatangi indicated that the legislation addresses emerging challenges such as climate change, diminishing soil fertility, food insecurity, declining public health, and environmental deterioration.
Additionally, the governor approved County Supplementary Budget Two for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, a measure reorganizing county expenditures to prioritize development projects and programs targeting residents’ most urgent needs.
Education stakeholders have embraced the ECDE law’s implementation, viewing it as a crucial achievement that will safeguard investments in early childhood education while guaranteeing that future generations of students maintain access to quality education, nutrition, and supportive learning environments.
This legislation positions Kiambu among counties taking deliberate action to enhance foundational learning and secure long-term educational outcomes through legal and policy reforms.