Nakuru-based Civil Society organizations on Thursday May 15, 2025 joined the World in marking Family Day with calls on Kenya Government to restructure the National Policy on Family Promotion and Protection (2023).
Though the policy aims to strengthen family bonds, promote responsible parenting, and ensure safe environments for all citizens, the Civil Society organizations in Nakuru feel there is still need to restructure the policy to ensure inclusivity.
Speaking during the event held at Nakuru Athletics Club grounds, Reproductive Health Champion Organization(RHCO) Executive Director Martin Lunalo faulted the current policy for having some gaps in terms of matters family.
According to Lunalo, there is need for the Policy to recognize diversity in family and their uniqueness.
“The policy is undermining the diversity of families as it does not recognize all family setups but only recognizes male and female gender. We have seen a number of attempts to restructure our family culture. We are calling on Ministry of Labour to restructure the policy to recognize diversity,” he stated.
Lunalo called on lawmakers in the country to ensure the Family Bill before Parliament sponsored by MP Peter Kaluma to rethink before passing the same.
He added that aspects of family values should not be compromised.
“Lawmakers should not confuse this country with non progressive laws that undermine our family values,” stated Lunalo.
He urged the Ministry of Labour to ensure no separation of families even if children are born in foreign countries should be allowed to come back to the country and rejoin their families.
On matters Donald Trump’s policies on funding towards families and health, Lunalo noted that this will have a lot of negative impact among them HIV prevalence and TB.
According to him, the National Assembly should work to ensure funding for key areas touching on families moreso health matters among them maternal healthcare and HIV.Sentiments echoed by Joy Kamau Toroitich from Better Lives organization who noted that families should be appreciated in diversity.
She called on the National government to consider policies that recognize diversity of families.
While noting that Kenya is a family, Ms Joy was categorical that there is need for protection.
“Whether you live alone or two, we are all human, equal and we all deserve our lives to be protected. We don’t want to hear people being displaced or killed because of their diversity in matters family,” she stated.
Gladwell Mwaura- a counseling psychologist noted that families are key on matters mental health.
According to her, family is the last option to turn to whenever one faces challenges of mental health.
“We are celebrating families in their diversity and as Africans we need to understand that families are key on matters health but moreso mental health. Let’s embrace and appreciate all family setups,” she stated.
Laura Guteres from Colombia and activist with International Organization in matters family, reiterated the need to recognize that all types of families are valid.
She faulted individuals who have the mentality that there is only one type of family.
The United Nations International Day of Families, is observed annually on May 15.
This year’s theme is “Building Families: Strengthening Communities through Intergenerational Solidarity for a Peaceful Kenya.”
The Government of Kenya, in collaboration with its partners, reaffirms its commitment to supporting families through the National Policy on Family Promotion and Protection (2023).
This policy aims to strengthen family bonds, promote responsible parenting, and ensure safe environments for all citizens.