Bungoma County Education CEC Eng Agness Wachiye making her remarks.

Bungoma County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education and Vocational Training, Eng. Agnes Wachiye, has called for stronger collaboration across government sectors to boost Early Childhood Development (ECD) through the Nurturing Care initiative.

Speaking at a sensitization workshop for CECMs and Chief Officers at Bungoma Tourist Hotel, organized by Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) in partnership with the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), Wachiye said children’s well-being cannot be left to the education docket alone.

“ECD cuts across health, nutrition, water, infrastructure, and gender. The well-being of our children cannot be siloed in one department. No child should be left behind,” she said.

Wachiye revealed that the county, in partnership with the Office of the First Lady, is rolling out new interventions including, daycare centres and lactation rooms for breastfeeding mothers. Investments are also being made in ECDE classrooms, age-appropriate furniture, learning materials, and the county’s free Uji Programme.

She said these efforts are designed to level the playing field for children in Bungoma, improving school readiness and reducing inequality.

“By nurturing children early, we are not just supporting families,we are building healthier, more resilient communities,” Wachiye added.