Nairobi County Assembly passes a motion to deal with street families

By JAMES MWANGI

Nairobi, Kenya: Members of Nairobi County Assembly have passed a motion to compel the County government to address the issue of street children and families within the city centre.

The motion moved by Kayole South Ward representative Elizabeth Manyala and passed on Tuesday seeks to have the urchins removed from the streets and further rehabilitated.

Members of the assembly pointed out that the street families have increased, becoming an economic problem and social nightmare.

“These street children are now extorting money from innocent pedestrians and motorists through intimidation and threats of use of human waste. This assembly urges the county government to move with speed and address this matter” stated Manyala.

The assembly wants a quick fix as a permanent solution is sought, saying some organisations have turned the matter into a cash cow.

Some who were rehabilitated in Social halls in Bahati and Kayole have gone back to the streets due to lack of some basic necessities.

The problem has affected tourism negatively and businesses especially when they relieve themselves along the streets and businesses’ doorsteps.

In the last budget the county government set aside Sh180 million for construction of a rehabilitation centre at Ruai, in Embakasi.

In Kayole the street urchins have joined criminal gangs that have been terrorizing residents and are spreading to other parts of the city.

“The criminal gang, Gaza boys and girls in Kayole South is composed of young kids previously in the streets. They have guns and knives and very dangerous. They are also spilling to the city centre” said Manyala.

Ziwani representative Millicent Mugadi called upon the county government to collaborate with the neighbouring counties to stop the urchins’ exodus from there to Nairobi.