Every other day, lots of children in Kenya get adopted. Getting a stable and loving home they might not otherwise have had. Perhaps, you too are considering adopting a child. Before you embark on this noble cause, you need to take your time to think through the adoption process and the impact it will have on you, your family and the life of the adopted child.
1) Why do I want to adopt?
2) How will adopting a child impact the people in my family?
3) Is my home environment stable and emotionally able to support the child?
The adoption process is lengthy and complicated and it depends on so many factors, including whether or not you are adopting domestically or internationally.
It's vital that you adopt a child for the right reasons and through the right channels. A local TV station recently exposed a network of illegal adoption agencies being used by technocrats, political elites and even diplomats using their offices to advance their "saviors to Kenyan child initiative"  Check this out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSRBbRnND20
The US State Department ranks Kenya at Tier 2 Watch List for non-compliance with minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.
Here's what to know before you embark on the child adoption process.
Adoptive Parent: What do you require?
  • For a couple that wishes to adopt you must have been in the marital relationship for at least three years.
  • A person who is married to the child's parent with the other biological parent's consent.
  • A single person between 25 and 65 years of age.
  • A relative to the child if the relative has been taking care of the child. This is known as Kinship adoption.
  • The age gap between the child and the adopting parent should be more than 21 years.
  • The adoptive parent and the child must be resident in Kenya for six months at the time of the proposed adoption.
  • The applicant should be in possession of the child granting continuous care for three months consecutively before submission of the application for the adoption order.
Adoptive Child: Who can be adopted?
The child must be below the age of 18 years and residing in Kenya may be adopted as long as;
  • The child is abandoned and the whereabouts of the parents/guardians are unknown.
  • The child is an orphan and there is no guardian/caregiver who is willing to take care of the child.
  • The parents/guardians of the child have given consent for the child to be adopted (Parent Offer Adoptions).
  • The child requires an alternative permanent placement.
For detailed information on the adoption process in Kenya, please visit Kenyalaw.org The Adoption Act Cap 143

About The Author

Author
Omani Joy

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