80 street children rescued, 120 adults residing in Eldoret streets arrested

Street boy on flower bed along Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi

 

A multi-agency operation in Eldoret saw 80 children rescued from the streets. The minors were taken to a rescue centre.

During the crackdown, 120 adults who are members of street families were also arrested and are expected to be handed over to the security department for further interrogation and prosecution if found liable to law breaking.

The operation conducted jointly by Uasin Gishu Children Services Department, human rights organisations and the security team is aimed at getting rid of street families.

Some of the children rescued from the streets will be sent back to their homes.

Julius Yator, the county coordinator of Children Services, said the operation was prompted by the rising number of street children in Eldoret town, a trend that has elicited public concern.

Nick Omito,  director of Eldoret Human Rights and Mitigation Centre, lauded the operation noting it was humane.