Ward representatives in Trans Nzoia County now want area Governor George Natembeya to establish a rescue centre for the rehabilitation of street children.
This, they said, would enable most of the street children, especially minors to benefit from education.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday in Kitale town, the Members of County Assembly (MCA), led by Tuwan’s Francis Obingo Were, said the minors should not be left to lead desperate lives.
“We are appealing to our Governor to move with speed and establish a rescue centre which will give the minors a new lease of life through training and counselling services,’’ said MCA Were
He challenged the new administration to walk the talk by initiating a supplementary budget towards construction of the rescue centre in order to fulfil one of its pre-election pledges.
According to the MCAs adequate funds should be set aside for construction of at least two dormitories to house both males and females.
The Assembly Minority Leader Eric Wafula Wekhomba said establishment of rescue centres and a home for the elderly street families would help decongest Kitale Town.
It is good to have a place to house the minors and the elderly who have nowhere to call home,’’ he noted.
“As leaders we want to be a model county where street children live with dignity , in safety and a secure environment making them feel a sense of belonging,’’ he added.
He added that nobody knows exactly how many street children are on the streets but the matter must be addressed as an emergency.
Sikhendu Ward representative Andrew Sichangi Kutitila cited some of the possible reasons for street families, including poverty, displacement due to family conflicts and discrimination.
Kapomboi Ward representative Kefa Were said there was a need for the County government to partner with non-state actors to assist the street children to have the same access to services, resources, care and opportunities that other children have.
Were who is also the executive Director of the Restoration for Human Rights and Democracy lobby challenged rights groups and professionals to continue amplifying street children’s voices so they can make their views known.
“Rights groups must step in to put an end to the discrimination street-connected children in this county face on a daily basis. They are not different from any other children that are living with parents,” he said.
However, speaking to KNA separately, Country Director of Children Services Austin Maungu confirmed the government with help of stakeholders has been addressing the street children challenge in the region.
“The number of street families in Kitale town has drastically reduced between 2017 and now,” Maungu told KNA.
According to the children officer, the town has about 285 street people currently down from 1,350 in 2017.
“This is according to a recent survey conducted by my department and AGAPE, a faith based organisation,” added Maungu.
The survey, which was conducted three weeks ago, revealed a total of 179 were male while 6 were female of the Kitale street population.
Maungu further clarified that a total of 136 out of the figure were adult urchins.
He says government efforts to remove the urchins from the town streets through reintegration back to society and enrolment to vocational training institutions had witnessed the remarkable results.
“We still call upon interested stakeholders to join hands and help the government address the street family issue in Trans Nzoia,” Maungu urged.
