Register a charitable children's institution (children's home)
National Council for Children's Services / State Department for Children Services · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Don't plan on opening a new children's home: the Children Act 2022 only provides for 'existing' homes registered with NCCS before the Act, and government is moving children into family care. If you already run one, it must meet NCCS standards and get NCCS approval for its programmes.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- National Council for Children's Services (NCCS), Social Security House, Block C, 4th Floor, Nairobi
What you need
- For every employee: a valid certificate showing no pending criminal investigations
Steps
- Talk to NCCS first: Social Security House, Block C, 4th Floor, Nairobi, info@nccs.go.ke, 020 2729801.
- If you run an existing home, appoint a qualified manager and enough staff.
- Get NCCS's written approval before running any child welfare programme in the home.
- To turn the home into something else (for example a school or community centre), apply to NCCS at least 6 months before the change.
- NCCS suggests homes can become community resource centres, day care for children with disabilities, schools, health or training centres.
Watch out
- Running a home without NCCS approval, or under the name of a church, NGO or other group, is a crime: up to 5 years in jail, a fine of up to KSh 5 million, or both.
- Children's homes are allowed only as a last resort. The government is moving children to family and community care.
- A child shouldn't stay in a home for more than 3 years, and a child under 3 for no more than 3 months, except in compelling cases.
Who can apply
- Only homes already registered, approved or licensed by NCCS before the Children Act 2022 started (called 'existing' institutions).
- The home needs a manager with a degree or diploma in social sciences, a valid certificate of no pending criminal cases, and at least 3 years' experience in social services.
Official sources (5)
- Functions nccs.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- FAQs nccs.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Children Institutions 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