Business network initiatives linking care entrepreneurs to services and markets in Kenya
0-1 Original language
English
I-1 Name of the initiative
Business network initiatives linking care entrepreneurs to services and markets in Kenya
I-2 Geographical coverage
KEN
I-2-A Region/country
Kenya
I-2-R Region
Africa
I-2-T Geographical scope
Country
I-3-A Initiative start date
2020
I-3-B Initiative end date
__EMPTY__
I-4 Leading entity/organization
Civil society, including NGOs
I-5 Collaborating entities/organizations
Government
I-6 Has the ILO been involved in the initiative?
No
I-7 Is there collaboration with other agencies of the United Nations System or other partners?
No
II-1 Justification of the initiative
Kenya’s childcare sector faces several systemic constraints that limit the development of a functional childcare service market. These include insufficient investment in childcare services, gaps in the policy and regulatory environment, and inadequate workforce development.Studies and sector analyses highlight that the childcare market in Kenya is fragmented, under-regulated, and significantly under-resourced, with limited coordination among actors. Uthabiti Africa, a local a non-profit organisation, found that the childcare ecosystem is hampered by insufficient coordination, weak regulation, and limited support for childcare workers, which impede the development of quality, affordable childcare services in the country.
II-10 Focus on other branches of economic activity
No sectoral focus
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Micro enterprises
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Small enterprises
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Employers
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Own-account workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Childcare workers (for children ages 0-start of primary school)
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Women
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Mothers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Fathers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Persons with other care responsibilities
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?
Other consultations
II-2 Objectives and description of the initiative
The Childcare Enterprises Network Initiative (CNI) was established in Kenya in 2021 with the primary objective of driving enterprise development within the childcare service sector. The initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity, sustainability, and professionalism of childcare enterprises across the country. It focuses on creating an enabling environment in which childcare providers—particularly women-led micro‑enterprises—can grow, improve service quality, and contribute to the expansion of a functional childcare market.The CNI was launched by Uthabiti Africa, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering the growth of a high‑quality childcare market in Kenya. Uthabiti Africa functions as a childcare ecosystem builder and market facilitator, working with government institutions, civil society organizations, childcare workers, and enterprises to improve access to quality and affordable childcare. Its work includes strengthening training and certification systems for childcare workers, improving access to finance for childcare enterprises, and generating evidence to inform policy and regulatory reforms that benefit the sector.
II-3 Type of initiative
Project / pilot intervention
II-3 Type of initiative
Training/capacity building
II-4 Which of the Rs in the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work guides this initiative?
Recognition, reduction and redistribution of unpaid care
II-4 Which of the Rs in the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work guides this initiative?
Reward care workers
II-4 Which of the Rs in the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work guides this initiative?
Representation of care workers
II-5 Which is the main policy area of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Care policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Employment policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Skills policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Labour Protection policies
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Formalization of informal care jobs and enterprises
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Promoting active labour market policies, education and training, upskilling and re-skilling, skills recognition and skills certification
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Create an enabling and conducive environment for sustainable enterprises and SSE entities
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Invest in and make available high-quality, affordable, adequate and accessible care services, including childcare, health care and long-term care
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and SSE entities that deliver quality care services
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Collecting and disseminating data on unpaid and paid care work
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Paid care workers (nurses, domestic workers, teachers, childcare workers, personal assistants, etc.)
II-9 Geographical scope
Urban and rural
III-1 In a short paragraph, summarize the main results and impacts obtained
Through the Childcare Enterprises Network Initiative, Uthabiti Africa has strengthened Kenya’s childcare service market by improving support for childcare providers and enhancing the overall operating environment. The organization has built a network of 7,000 childcare workers, who together have provided care to over 96,000 children, reflecting significant reach and sectoral impact. Through its focus on capacity building, Uthabiti enhances providers’ access to training, certifications, and financial services, while also fostering collaboration and learning across the childcare ecosystem. At the systems level, Uthabiti works with national and county governments to improve childcare regulations, address gaps in workforce certification, and create a more enabling policy environment, helping strengthen coordination within an otherwise fragmented sector. These efforts contribute both to the professionalization of small-scale and informal childcare enterprises and to broader reforms aimed at improving quality, safety, and accountability in Kenya’s childcare landscape
III-2 Explanation of the innovative element of the initiative for advancing decent work in the care economy
The innovative strength of the Childcare Enterprises Network Initiative lies in its dual approach of market facilitation and systems transformation, which goes beyond traditional childcare interventions focused solely on service provision. Unlike conventional models, the initiative introduces a market‑driven ecosystem approach by supporting childcare entrepreneurs with training, certification pathways, and access to finance, enabling them to operate as viable, high‑quality enterprises. It also fosters collaboration through learning networks that strengthen coordination in a sector historically characterized by fragmentation and limited information sharing. Moreover, the initiative advances regulatory innovations by working with governments to develop standards, guidelines, and policy reforms that address long-standing gaps in oversight and quality assurance in the childcare workforce. This integrated blend of enterprise development, digital linkages, and policy advocacy represents a significant shift from traditional approaches, positioning the initiative as a catalyst for decent work and sustainable growth within Kenya’s childcare economy.
IV-1 What were the main challenges or difficulties during the design and implementation? How were they faced/ addressed?
The main challenges during the design and implementation of the initiative stemmed from Kenya’s highly fragmented and under‑regulated childcare ecosystem, where limited coordination among actors, weak regulatory frameworks, and inconsistent service quality constrained the growth of childcare enterprises. Uthabiti Africa identified that the sector suffered from insufficient coordination, which hindered collective action and ecosystem strengthening. Additionally, the childcare workforce often lacked access to training, certification, and financial services, making it difficult for providers—especially informal and women‑led enterprises—to meet quality standards or operate sustainably. These challenges were addressed through a multi‑pronged approach: Uthabiti established learning networks to enhance coordination across stakeholders, provided structured training and certification pathways to professionalize the workforce, expanded providers’ access to financial and business development support, and partnered with county and national governments to advocate for improved childcare regulations and minimum standards.
IV-2 Lessons learned and good practices, including room and opportunities for improvement
V-1 Sources of information and documents used on the characteristics of the initiative, including links to websites, news items, toolkits, policy documents or reports
ILO, 2022. Childcare leave and services from a women ’s entrepreneurship development perspective.DCED, 2022. Childcare Solutions for Women Micro and Small Enterprises.Collaborative Action for Childcare | Accelerating quality, affordable childcare for all in AfricaCoach the Uthabiti Africa team | MovingWorlds.org