Arrange Kafaalah (Islamic alternative care) for a child
State Department for Children Services · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Contact your Sub-County Children Officer to arrange Kafaalah. It is free, with a 14 working day charter time, and the child keeps their original family name and inheritance rights.
- Fee
- FreeKafaala services
- How long
- 14 working days (service charter)
- Where
- Your Sub-County Children Officer (State Department for Children Services)
Steps
- Contact the Sub-County Children Officer near you, or email alternativefamilycare@socialprotection.go.ke.
- Give the Children's Office the information and supporting documents they ask for.
Watch out
- Kafaalah is not adoption: the child keeps their original kinship and inheritance rights.
- You can still gift the child property or provide for them in a Wasiyah (will).
Who can apply
- A Muslim who is a Kenyan citizen and meets the age and capacity requirements.
- For a child who has no parental or family care.
Official sources (4)
- Child Protection Services Portal childrenservices.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Service Charter childrenservices.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- FAQs childrenservices.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- The Children Act, 2022 (No. 29 of 2022) childrenservices.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026