Street children should be protected

Our 2010 constitution is very categorical in affording and ensuring that the Kenyan people in all walks of life are treated with dignity. That dignity is universal to all. It is encapsulated in the principles of equality of treatment that stem from our historical injustices occasioned by discrimination or rather distinction.

Though afforded to the human race at large, it is under article 53 specifically afforded to children having regard to their vulnerable nature in society. It is a provision that advocates for the protection of the child inter alia from abuse, neglect and inhumane treatment. That duty to protect is vested on everybody by article 20 with the primary duty being on the parent. However where the child has no parent then the state assumes parental responsibility under the principle of parens partriae. Has it done so?