Adoption offers a child what the parents are not in a position to grant them and this can be emotional, physical, and psychological support as well as basic needs. Adoption agencies in Kenya are the only institutions that can facilitate your adoption with the help of a court.
To adopt a child, there’s a specific legal adoption process in Kenya you must follow to protect the child and ensure they’re placed in a well-intended loving family. It’s also recommended to plan accordingly for the adoption, including considering things like your preparedness, evaluating your family environment, understanding the law ideally via a lawyer, and possessing the minimum factors children need to thrive.
In Kenya, you cannot adopt a child or give up your child for adoption without a licensed agency. Private or directly-placed adoptions are illegal. Additionally, the adoption agency you choose must be licensed by the National Council of Children Services (NCCS).
Here are 4 registered child adoption agencies in Kenya to contact if you’re considering adoption.
1. Buckner Kenya: Hope Shines Here
Buckner is a Christian international organization with Kenyan centres, dedicated to restoring lives, providing hope, and transforming the lives of children through Christ-centred values. They also provide safe and loving homes through foster care and adoption to vulnerable rescued children in need of family, hope, and restoration.
Family is at the cornerstone of Buckner’s mission and for those in need, the organization provides family coaching programs. It also has a kinship program where relatives who want to provide temporary adoption to their blood-related children receive financial support, food, school allowances, and healthcare through local Buckner Family Hope Centers.
The Kenyan centres provide foster care and local adoption services to Kenyan residents only via their offices and rescue centres in Nairobi, Busia, Bungoma, Cherangany, and Kitale.
Location: Off Thika Superhighway, Garden Estate Road, Mukima Drive
Contacts: adoptions@bucknerkenya.org, +254-796-333-444
2. Little Angels Network Society (LANS)
Little Angels Network Society (LANS) focuses on rescuing and placing children between 1 to 3 years who have been abused or abandoned due to HIV & AIDS into loving homes. It’s important to note that the agency also supports children of other ages, while mainly focussing on toddlers abandoned during conflict, due to abuse, or HIV/AIDS. The network facilitates the provision of quality life by promoting local and international adoption, kinship adoptions, and foster care for these vulnerable children.
LANS strongly believes that the best place for a child to grow up holistically is in a loving family. That’s why the organization prioritizes the improvement of adoption and foster care services more than supporting other children centres.
The organization also has hotlines for reporting and rescuing gender-based violence victims, victims of violence during elections, or high-conflict areas. The hotlines are 1195 and 116.
Location: Ringroad, Kilimani, Kamirembe Place, 1st Floor
Contacts: 0786941326 or 0733791111
3. Kenyans to Kenyans Peace Initiative (KKPI) Adoption Society
The Kenyans to Kenyans Peace Initiative (KKPI) Adoption Society integrates orphaned and abandoned children into loving families where they can receive love and protection needed to grow into responsible adults and members of society.
Registered in 2007 as an adoption agency, the organization also aims to promote adoption in Kenya as a way of creating families. They do this by facilitating local and international adoptions and through lobbying government agencies to improve adoption legislation.
KKPI Adoption society also partners with other charitable institutions to support parents who want to give up their children for adoption in Kenya.
Location: Kogo Star Plaza, Upper Ground Floor Room 14, off Mai Mahiu Road
Contacts: +254 725 475 208
4. Kenya Children’s Homes (KCH)
Established in 1961, Kenya Children’s Homes (KCH) is the oldest charity organization and adoption agency in Kenya dedicated to children welfare. The organization began as a children’s home and rescue centre before expanding to facilitate adoptions and other children wellness programs.
KCH strongly believes that children should grow up in safe, loving family environments and strives to achieve this mission by prioritizing permanent adoption placements instead of short-term relief. This helps build stable nurturing environments where children can thrive till adulthood.
Location: Lang’ata Road, Opposite Wilson Airport, Thomas Barnardo House
Contacts: +254722200408, info@kch.co.ke
If you’re planning to adopt in Kenya, the agencies and societies above are registered by the National Council of Children’s Services (NCCS) and promise to offer help and advice to parents thinking about adoption.
After adoption, your new family will also benefit from a specialized mental health counsellor to support you as you navigate through the complex emotions, resolve past trauma and attachments, and help in identity formation.