KU-WEE Hub Holds RCT Baseline data dissemination workshop in Tharaka Nithi County

The Kenyatta University-WEE Hub in collaboration with Yale University (USA), Tharaka Nithi County government and other stakeholders, are implementing a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) intervention in Tharaka Nithi County Kenya, with the goal of enhancing women’s economic empowerment (WEE) and their psychosocial well-being through a structured childcare intervention program. This intervention is formally titled “A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of a Preschool Intervention on Child Learning and Women’s Economic Empowerment in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya “. It investigates how access to quality childcare can serve as a catalyst for women’s participation in economic and income-generating activities. It also investigates early preschool enrollment of children’s effect on holistic development and school readiness of the 3-year-old. The intervention is being carried out in 60 treatment schools across the county, targeting specifically three-year-old children. Within each PP1 classroom, five three-year-old children were randomly enrolled to participate in the intervention, while another five four-year-old children were selected for experimental measurement. To ensure robust evaluation, the study also included three control groups

: ⚫ Five three-year-olds in control schools,

⚫ Five four-year-olds in control schools, and

⚫ Five three-year-olds who remained at home in the treatment areas.

To facilitate effective implementation, teaching materials for the experiment were designed and distributed to the treatment schools. These materials support lesson delivery in local languages, fostering a familiar yet rich and engaging learning environment for young children. The RCT introduced specifically adopted curriculum, methodologies and learning resources that benefited the entire PP1 class. The intervention also emphasized capacity building, with 12 project mentors each supporting two teachers per school one designated RCT caregiver and one regular PP1 teacher across five schools, ensuring continuous training and mentorship.

To share preliminary baseline findings, KU-WEE Hub in collaboration with Tharaka Nithi County, convened a dissemination workshop on March 26, 2025, at the Governor’s residence in Ruguri Hill, Kathwana. This event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including representatives from the Tharaka Nithi County Government, State Department for Basic Education, State Department for Higher Education, State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, Members of the County Assembly, Kenyatta University management, and researchers from both KU-WEE Hub and Yale Universities. The workshop served as a collaborative platform to reflect on the study’s insights and to strengthen partnerships in advancing early childhood education and women’s economic empowerment agenda in the region. Workshop Proceedings

Read the complete Report Here: REPORT OF THE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL (RCT) BASELINE DATA DISSEMINATION WORKSHOP IN THARAKA NITHI