Education CEC John Awiti speaking during the Kisumu County Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Creative Activities Festival, Faith Matete 
Pupils perform during the Kisumu County Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Creative Activities Festival. Faith Matete Kisumu County is strengthening investment in early childhood education to provide children with a strong foundation for learning, character development and future success.
County Executive Committee Member for Education John Awiti said early childhood development is a critical sector that plays a major role in shaping children’s social, emotional and intellectual growth.
Speaking during the Kisumu County Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Creative Activities Festival, Awiti said the county was committed to creating a conducive environment where every child could learn, express themselves and develop their talents.
“Early childhood development is a complex sector that many people may not fully understand, yet it is where we lay the foundation for a child’s future,” Awiti said.
He said the county’s focus was not only on academic learning but also on nurturing children’s character, emotional well-being and social development from an early age.
Although the festival involved competition, Awiti said the county was keen to ensure that every child was given an opportunity to participate and showcase their abilities.
“Our emphasis is on ensuring that every child gets an opportunity to express themselves and bring out the talents that need to be nurtured,” he said.
Awiti said Kisumu had continued to invest in early childhood education through the recruitment of teachers and the provision of resources to support learning.
He said the county recently recruited 120 ECDE teachers to strengthen staffing in learning centres and had made a further request for additional teachers.
“We want every child to be handled by qualified and professional teachers so that we can get the foundation of education right from the beginning,” Awiti said.
Nurturing creativity and critical thinking
Chief Officer for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services Bovince Ochieng said the county-level festival marked the culmination of creative activities that began at the ward level before progressing to the sub-county and county stages.
He said the event brought together the best young talents and creative performances selected from different parts of the county.
“This is the climax of the activities that started at the ward level. We moved to the sub-county level and are now at the county level, where we have brought together some of the best talents and creative learners,” Ochieng said.
He said the festival was a reminder that learning and development begin long before a child joins primary school.
Through play, music and creative activities, children develop confidence, creativity, innovation, communication and the ability to interact and cooperate with others, he said.
“These opportunities help children to think, ask questions, communicate effectively and develop the confidence to express themselves,” Ochieng said.
He added that creative learning was increasingly important as technology and artificial intelligence continued to influence education and society.
“Artificial intelligence is taking over many areas of life. What distinguishes human beings is their ability to think critically, question ideas and ask important questions,” he said.
Ochieng said early childhood education should therefore focus on nurturing independent thinkers and problem-solvers who can adapt to a rapidly changing world.
He said investment in early learning was also an investment in the county’s future leadership and development.
“Among these children are future governors, presidents, innovators, lawyers, engineers and other leaders who will shape society. We must nurture them at this formative stage because it is critical and fundamental,” Ochieng said.
He said early childhood education should also promote moral values and preserve cultural identity while preparing children for the demands of a modern world.
The chief officer called on parents, teachers, communities and development partners to work together to support young learners and create an environment where every child could develop to their full potential.
“We need collaboration from the community and different partners so that we can build a society of people who can think critically, question issues and contribute meaningfully to development,” he said.
Supporting holistic development
Director for Education, Pre-Primary and Child Care Wilkister Odera said the ECDE Creative Activities Festival had been held in Kisumu since 2015 and remained an important platform for promoting early learning and holistic child development.
Odera said nurturing care was an essential part of the education system and should support not only ECDE learners but also children below the age of three.
“The aim is to ensure that children develop holistically by supporting their social, emotional, physical, cognitive and creative growth,” she said.
She said the festival brought together community members, county officials and partners interested in children’s welfare to witness the talents and skills learners had developed through classroom activities.
“The activities provide an opportunity for the public to see what children can achieve and the work teachers have done to nurture their talents,” Odera said.
She called for continued collaboration between the county government, parents, teachers and development partners to improve early childhood education and ensure every child receives quality care and learning opportunities.
The festival featured music, creative performances and other learning activities aimed at helping children build confidence, express themselves and showcase their talents.
