Government To Enforce Mandatory Baby Care Facilities In Public Institutions
By MKT Correspondent
The government has announced plans to compel all public institutions to establish baby care facilities at workplaces to support breastfeeding mothers and improve the welfare of working parents.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) said it will begin a nationwide crackdown on public institutions that have failed to comply with existing crèche laws, which require employers to provide nursery facilities where babies and young children can be cared for while parents or guardians are on duty.
Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni warned that institutions found non-compliant will face firm legal action once enforcement begins.
“These laws were enacted to protect the rights of working mothers and their children, yet many institutions have treated them casually,” Muthoni said. “That era is coming to an end.”
The crèche laws were adopted after sustained advocacy by rights activists and civil society organisations, who argued that the absence of childcare facilities places an unfair burden on women and undermines gender equality in the workplace.
Muthoni expressed concern that many new mothers, particularly teachers, other public servants and students are being forced to juggle professional or academic responsibilities alongside childcare under extremely difficult conditions.
“We are witnessing young mothers struggling to balance work, studies, and childcare,” she said.
“This affects their mental health, productivity, and ultimately the quality of services delivered to the public.”
Although the requirement for workplace childcare facilities is already anchored in law, the PS noted that public institutions have often cited budgetary and logistical challenges to justify delays in compliance. She, however, emphasised that the grace period previously extended by the government has now expired.
“As of January 2026, the Ministry will begin firm enforcement of the law. Institutions must comply without exception,” Muthoni said.
She stressed that childcare should not be viewed as a privilege, but as a fundamental right and a critical component of building a productive, inclusive, and humane workforce.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health raised alarm over a sharp increase in drug and substance abuse within learning institutions, describing the trend as an emerging national crisis.
According to recent ministry surveys, more learners are being introduced to drugs while in school, with the habit often spreading to their homes and surrounding communities.
In response, Muthoni said the Ministry has adopted a whole-of-government approach, working closely with the Ministry of Education to roll out joint interventions aimed at curbing drug and substance abuse in schools starting next week.
She urged teachers and school administrators to remain vigilant, warning that traffickers are increasingly disguising drugs as ordinary consumer products to target children.
“Without urgent and coordinated intervention, the future of our children and the safety of our communities will be under serious threat,” she cautioned.
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