Domestic violence and child neglect is to blame for the rising number of street children in Meru County, a survey by a child rights organization – Sodzo International – has shown.
The survey indicates that Maua, Laare, Mutuati and Kiutine towns has some of the highest number of street children in the county.
Speaking while sensitizing locals on the rights of homeless children, Sodzo International officer Moses Kiambi said their rehabilitation programme had rescued more than 210 children from the streets.
“We have noted that most children come to the streets when there is violence among parents. In such situations, they are neglected and are forced to leave their homes. Others abandon school and flee from home to venture into the miraa business. Most of the children are not homeless but neglected,” said Kiambi.
He regretted that children resort to crime and other vices after being recruited into drug abuse in the streets.
John Mwangi, a children’s officer in Igembe, cited dysfunctional families, land conflict and gender based violence as some of the vices pushing more children into the streets.
He said the government was advocating reuniting the children with their families as opposed to the common model of hosting them in children’s homes.
“According to the 2019 census, there were more than 700 street children in Meru. This number has continued to grow even as rehabilitation efforts continue. We are encouraging families to uphold the rights of children even in the midst of conflict,” Mwangi said.
The census further indicated that Meru has the third highest number of homeless people after Nairobi and Mombasa counties.
Karen Kendi, a social worker with Sodzo International, said the organization was also working with other groups to promote child rights in the community.
By John Majau
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