"Weak adoption laws could have also exposed hundreds of Kenyan children to abuse and exploitation both locally and internationally," says this article from Daily Nation. The government of Kenya has, therefore, issued a moratorium on all adoptions (domestic and intercountry) and has cancelled licenses for intercountry adoptions in an effort to address this issue. "The objective of the ban was to enable the government to conduct a comprehensive audit of policy and legal framework, procedures and players involved in adoption." An expert committee has been appointed by the Labour Cabinet Secretary to implement the objectives of the moratorium. The committee has presented a report of findings and have made several recommendations to the government to enhance accountability and address major gaps in the legal framework and adoption processes. "The committee recommends that adoption be done by professional social workers. In addition, CCIs be closed down immediately and children reunited with their families. The other recommendation is that the moratorium be upheld because it is the only lifeline for children, and has so far reduced the sale and theft of children in the country," says the article.
