Rescued children stranded

Nakuru Town East commander Elene Kabukuru during an interview at her office at Nakuru Central Police station on March 24, 2020. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]  

A number of children are stranded in police stations in Nakuru town with child officers who could rescue them stuck at home due to Covid-19.

Among them is 10-year-old Mathew Omondi who is sheltering at Nakuru Central Police Station. Omondi was rescued by a Good Samaritan from the streets of Nakuru town.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, the pupil at Mahola Primary School in Kisumu said he boarded a bus from Kisumu on Sunday March 22 to join his parents in Nakuru town.

However, on arrival in Nakuru, he lost direction and was forced to sleep on the streets before being rescued by the Good Samaritan.

“I do not have my parents' contacts so I can't reach out to them," said Omondi.

The boy explained that his father is called Peter Omondi and his mother, Maureen Akinyi.

According to his travel documents, Omondi traveled from Kisumu on Sunday on Climax Passenger Bus.

Sharon Namwea, 14, is also stranded at the same police station after traveling from Malaba.

The Standard Seven pupil at Kasogol Primary School said she used to live with a guardian, who gave her Sh1,000 and directed her to seek alternative accommodation.

Namwea said she decided to board a vehicle to Nakuru, though she did not know anyone there.

Nakuru Town East Police Commander Elena Kabukuru said after receiving the children, police contacted the children's department but they were informed no one was at the office because of the Covid-19.

Nakuru Children Coordinator Alice Wanyonyi said the department officers were not willing to work because of fear of contracting the virus.

“Officers from the department are working from home. Nobody is ready to visit children’s homes because of the risk,” said Ms Wanyonyi.