A Kenyan-based US philanthropist David Smittcamp has sharply criticised the government’s approach to orphan care, accusing it of systemic hypocrisy, empty promises and failure to protect the country’s most vulnerable children.
Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, the cleric said government policy statements paint a picture of robust funding and support for vulnerable children, yet the reality on the ground tells a very different story.
He argued that the education system lacks a compassionate foundation, effectively denying orphans an equal chance at education.
“If you look at government policy papers, you will see claims of massive funding for the education of vulnerable children, yet orphanages are still forced to pay school fees for those under their care. It is shameful,” he said.
The philanthropist noted that it was disturbing that in 2026, children continue to live in underfunded orphanages with limited access to food, healthcare and education, despite the government receiving substantial donor funding meant to support such programmes.
Smittcamp, who has worked in child welfare for over a decade, said government leaders frequently speak about child welfare in public forums while neglecting orphans in practice.
“You cannot praise children as the future of the nation while abandoning those who have no parents to protect them,” he said. “There is plenty of applause for rhetoric, but silence when it comes to action.”
The cleric currently runs an orphanage in Mosocho, Kisii County, which hosts dozens of children from vulnerable backgrounds. He said his organisation has repeatedly faced harassment from authorities, including the arrest of staff members over allegations of insufficient food supplies.
“More recently, I had to pay Sh10,000 in cash bail for staff members—money that should have gone towards buying food and essential supplies for the children,” he lamented.
According to Smittcamp, most privately run orphan care centres survive almost entirely on donations, despite the existence of government programmes ostensibly designed to support them.
“There is a misguided perception that private child welfare institutions are businesses,” he said. “This is not a business. It is a compassion-driven mission with no profit motive.”
While acknowledging that some individuals exploit orphan care to defraud foreign donors, Smittcamp called for firm security and legal measures to address the problem, citing parts of Ogembo as areas where such scams have been reported.
He also criticised what he termed selective enforcement of regulations.
“Small, community-run homes are subjected to intense scrutiny and threats of closure, while the state fails to meet its own responsibilities,” he said. “That is not accountability—it is deflection.”
The philanthropist urged the government to scale up support for orphanages, warning that inadequate funding, staff shortages and poor access to healthcare and education continue to undermine the wellbeing of thousands of vulnerable children.
“Every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment,” he said. “We call on the government to prioritise policies and resources that ensure children in orphanages receive the care and opportunities they need to thrive.”
He added that investing in quality child care is not only a moral obligation but also a critical step toward building a healthier and more stable society.
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