Street families a nuisance to shoppers

Kakamega, Kenya: Residents of Kakamega town are up in arms over the sharp increase of street children and families in the town, saying they pose a huge security threat to locals, business and visitors.

The street urchins, boys and girls aged between 12 and 18, are instilling fear and anxiety among the residents. Some street children have been accused of being dangerous criminals who target club revellers at night.

“It was around 1 am and I was calling a boda boda rider to take me home and from nowhere, four young men armed with iron bars clobbered me. In a minute, I had lost my phone, wallet and shoes. I sobered up immediately and had to walk home,” Dennis Luvembe, a resident, told The Standard.

Harass shoppers

The street children, who sniff glue, have also been reported to be harassing shoppers along the town’s Kenyatta Avenue and other streets.

They camp outside supermarkets and restaurants from where they nag, beg and rob unsuspecting shoppers.

“Whenever you leave a supermarket after shopping, more than three children will surround you and ask for money. They will pester and follow you and whenever you don’t give in, they become abusive and embarrass you,” said Ouma Everlyne who added that their numbers have increased tremendously.

“I don’t know where they come from but they have increased a lot. They have become such a headache that you cannot even shop at night for fear of being mugged.”

Along the town streets, one is likely to be greeted by shaggy street mothers soliciting for money.

Business people say if the trend continues unchecked, the number of streets families will become a security scare to shoppers and businesses.

“They crowd along pavements and near our businesses. This is distressing as clients now shy away from these areas and in the long run we will lose business and potential clients,” explains a food kiosk owner who identified himself only as Ogutu.

Areas most affected include, Kenyatta Avenue, Canon Awori Street, Eldoret stage and municipal markets.

Rehabilitation centres

Kakamega County Executive Member for Labour, Social services, Culture, Youth and Sports, Jamin Shitsukane, said the street children and families would be relocated to children’s centres after necessary structures were put in place.

 He explained that the county government had allocated Sh10 million for children’s services and was in the process of putting up structures to improve children’s rehabilitation centres in the county.