Stakeholder Engagement and Implementation of Deinstitutionalization Programs for Children’s Homes in Kajiado North Sub-County, Kajiado County, Kenya

Despite Kenya’s progress in care reforms, many children in need of care and protection continue to remain in institutional care, contrary to national and global policies that advocate for family and community-based care. This study specifically examined the influence of stakeholder communication on the implementation of deinstitutionalization programs in children’s homes in Kajiado North Sub-County. The study was anchored on Stakeholder Theory and Systems Theory was used. The study adopted a convergent parallel research design. The target population was 516 participants. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 226 was determined, with 224 staff selected through stratified, proportionate, and simple random sampling, and two key informants selected purposively. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Pre-testing of research instruments was done and validity and reliability. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 26 through descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. The study found that, stakeholder communication had significant positive relationships with the implementation of deinstitutionalization programmes. The study established that structured communication forums such as meetings, case conferences, and coordination platforms were commonly used and played an important role in facilitating information sharing and joint decision-making. Effective communication channels and timely updates were also found to enhance coordination, stakeholder alignment, and overall implementation efficiency. However, the findings also revealed challenges, particularly in the clarity of communication pathways and the consistency of feedback dissemination. These gaps occasionally affected coordination and reduced the effectiveness of information flow between stakeholders. The study recommends strengthening stakeholder communication through structured forums, regular updates, and effective feedback systems to improve coordination and programme implementation. Keywords: Stakeholder engagement, implementation of deinstitutionalization, stakeholder communication programs, children’s homes