By Urban Shihemi, June 10,2025.

The National Early Childhood Development (ECD) held a high-level media breakfast meeting in Nairobi, aimed at engaging the public and galvanizing public awareness and encouraging widespread participation in the upcoming 2025 ECD Stakeholders Conference.

The breakfast forum, attended by representatives from government, civil society, research institutions and  media houses served as a strategic platform to emphasize the critical importance of early childhood development and to encourage active participation from all sectors of society.

Speaking during the event, Oscar Kadenge, Chairperson of the ECD Network of Kenya (ECDNeK) underscored the need for broad-based involvement and collaboration to ensure the success of the upcoming conference. Scheduled for July 15th–17th July 2025 in Garissa County, the conference is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, including ECD practitioners, researchers, policymakers, media professionals, and leaders from both national and county governments.

“This conference will not only be a landmark event in shaping Kenya’s ECD policies but also a celebration of the progress we’ve made in creating nurturing environments for our youngest citizens,” said Oscar Kadenge, Chairperson of the ECD Network of Kenya (ECDNeK) . 

The National Early Childhood Development (ECD) is leveraging media engagement as a key pillar of its outreach strategy, recognizing the influential role journalists and broadcasters play in shaping public opinion and informing communities about developmental priorities.

“The council will continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening early childhood services in frontier areas,”said Halima Ibrahim, representing the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) CEO. Working together is key in ensuring no child is left behind, especially in marginalized regions”.

Professor Teresa Mwoma, the National Coordinator of ECDNeK, pointed out that while there have been achievements in the past decade, there is growing concern that child-focused policies are slowly losing ground. She urged stakeholders to remain focused on the needs of children and to protect the gains already made in the sector.

On his side ,Garissa County Governor Nathif Jama, assured members of his county’s full support in hosting the conference and affirmed that early childhood remains a top priority in his administration.

Last year, Garissa county pledged to invest more funds in the ECD infrastructure , personnel , play and learning resources to steer learners to their full potential.

The 2025 ECD Stakeholders Conference aims to provide a platform for evidence-based dialogue, policy innovation, and strategic partnerships focused on improving the quality and accessibility of early childhood services across Kenya.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Kenya is a crucial stage in a child’s development, encompassing holistic learning and care for children. It focuses on promoting physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, moral, and cultural development.