1. Before the Court is the Chamber Summons dated 5 February 2026 seeking the appointment of Irene Wakio Kiridia as guardian ad litem for the child, Isaac Ethan, and the appointment of Joseph Njenga Kinyanjui and Beatrice Chirindo Tsuma as the child's legal guardians.
2. The application is supported by the affidavit of Joseph Njenga Kinyanjui. The applicants depose that they are husband and wife, have known the child and his biological parents for several years, and have maintained a close relationship with the child. They state that they are willing and able to assume legal guardianship should the need arise. The proposed guardian ad litem has filed a written consent accepting the appointment and the Children's Officer has similarly consented to her appointment.
3. I have considered the application, the supporting affidavits, the written consent of the proposed guardian ad litem and the recommendation of the Children's Officer. The appointment of a guardian ad litem is intended to safeguard the interests of the child during the adoption proceedings. I am satisfied that the proposed appointments serve the best interests of the child, which remain the paramount consideration under section 8 of the Children Act, 2022.
4. Consequently, I find merit in the application and make the following orders:
a. Irene Wakio Kiridia is hereby appointed guardian ad litem of the child, Isaac Ethan, for the purposes of these adoption proceedings.
b. The guardian ad litem shall investigate the circumstances of the proposed adoption and file a report in Court within forty-five (45) days.
c. The County Coordinator, Department of Children Services, Taita Taveta, shall cause the requisite investigations to be undertaken and file the Children's Officer's report within forty-five (45) days.
d. Mention on for confirmation of compliance and for further directions on the adoption proceedings 18 November 2026
2. The application is supported by the affidavit of Joseph Njenga Kinyanjui. The applicants depose that they are husband and wife, have known the child and his biological parents for several years, and have maintained a close relationship with the child. They state that they are willing and able to assume legal guardianship should the need arise. The proposed guardian ad litem has filed a written consent accepting the appointment and the Children's Officer has similarly consented to her appointment.
3. I have considered the application, the supporting affidavits, the written consent of the proposed guardian ad litem and the recommendation of the Children's Officer. The appointment of a guardian ad litem is intended to safeguard the interests of the child during the adoption proceedings. I am satisfied that the proposed appointments serve the best interests of the child, which remain the paramount consideration under section 8 of the Children Act, 2022.
4. Consequently, I find merit in the application and make the following orders:
a. Irene Wakio Kiridia is hereby appointed guardian ad litem of the child, Isaac Ethan, for the purposes of these adoption proceedings.
b. The guardian ad litem shall investigate the circumstances of the proposed adoption and file a report in Court within forty-five (45) days.
c. The County Coordinator, Department of Children Services, Taita Taveta, shall cause the requisite investigations to be undertaken and file the Children's Officer's report within forty-five (45) days.
d. Mention on for confirmation of compliance and for further directions on the adoption proceedings 18 November 2026