Street beggars told to enrol for State aid

By CYRUS OMBATI

The Government has told beggars and street families in Nairobi to register with authorities to enable them get a monthly food ration and money.

Starehe DC Ben Gachichio said the Government has enough food and cash to sustain the beggars flocking city streets daily and urged them to register at chiefs’ offices.

"We have food and other resources that can sustain survival of these people. The only problem is that beggars and other needy persons have not registered with authorities to enable us know who they are," said Mr Gachichio.

The administrator told The Standard an operation is underway to get rid of beggars, parking boys, street families and hawkers to make the city safe.

He said police and city council officials have arrested more than 120 beggars and parking boys in operations launched at various places since Monday. Some of the suspects were taken to court and fined, he said.

He urged City Hall to increase their efforts in dealing with hawkers.

Police have also, on several occasions, complained of laxity on the part of City Hall in dealing with the hawking menace.