Kenya bans child adoption by foreign nationals

In Summary

This is the second time in five years the Cabinet has issued a high-level directive against taking Kenyan children for adoption abroad, after imposing an indefinite moratorium in 2014.

At the time, the practice had attracted international attention with the United Nations and the American government flagging Kenya as a source and transit hub for child trafficking.

Fears were rife that some of the children were ending up in the hands of organ harvesting syndicates while others were sexually exploited, neglected or abandoned in family break-ups.

The government has banned the adoption of Kenyan children by foreign nationals with immediate effect.

A special Cabinet meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday directed the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to enact new policies to regulate the practice of adoption and streamline operations of the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK).

This is the second time in five years the Cabinet has issued a high-level directive against taking Kenyan children for adoption abroad, after imposing an indefinite moratorium in 2014.

CHILD TRAFFICKING

At the time, the practice had attracted international attention with the United Nations and the American government flagging Kenya as a source and transit hub for child trafficking.

Fears were rife that some of the children were ending up in the hands of organ harvesting syndicates while others were sexually exploited, neglected or abandoned in family break-ups.

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