Celebrating the icon and champion of children Dr Phoebe Muga Asiyo
1971: Vitafoam (EA) Ltd branch manager Kishor Shah presents to Phoebe Asiyo (in white dress), the Chief Executive Officer of Child Welfare Society of Kenya, balls and mattresses as gifts towards children at Mama Ngina Kenyatta Children's Home in Nairobi.
Dr Phoebe Asiyo can rightly be described as a hero and icon in childcare, welfare, and protection. Her impact, driven by love, generosity, passion, unwavering spirit, and commitment to children, cannot be overstated.
Dr Asiyo emerged as a formidable force in the evolution of Kenya's childcare and welfare systems, leaving an indelible mark on our social history. As Chief Executive Officer of the Child Welfare Society of Kenya—the sole organisation mandated to provide care and protection services for children at the time—she played a transformative role during the pivotal decade beginning in 1969.
Through her visionary leadership, foundational laws such as the Children and Young Persons Act (Cap 141), the Adoption Act (Cap 143), and the Guardianship of Infants Act (Cap 144) were operationalised. These Acts laid the groundwork for the modern legal framework that protects our children today.
She was instrumental in institutionalising the concept of adoption, which was then unfamiliar in the Kenyan context. Her approach demystified and localised the process, making it accessible and functional within the country's social and judicial systems.
Her lasting impact was also evident in the professionalisation of social work, ensuring a more structured, efficient, and compassionate response to the needs of vulnerable children across Kenya. She championed the need for a trained social workforce, supporting the School of Social Work and ensuring that those caring for children were well-equipped for the task.
Deeply indebted
At a time when the nation's social fabric faced immense challenges, Mama Phoebe strongly advocated for placing children in families through Alternative Family Care. Her commitment to helping children find families through guardianship, foster care, and adoption touched countless lives and remains dear to our hearts.
As a nation, our childcare, welfare, and protection systems are deeply indebted to her foundational work of Mama Phoebe. Kenya's children are better because of her life's work.
We celebrate this remarkable life and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched.
Farewell, Dr Phoebe Muga Asiyo. You will be eternally cherished.
The writer is Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services
