Kisii Central ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Wilfred Monyenye has decried the high and rising number of street children in Kisii town.
Talking to traders and Bodaboda riders in the town on Wednesday, Monyenye blamed the matter on the county government’s delay in the completion of Kiamuasi Children’s Rehabilitation Centre, which was supposed to equip them with carpentry, leatherwork, plumbing and welding skills for their sustenance.
He regretted that some of the children had grown into youth and had turned into robbers and thugs who waylaid and attacked residents for money too feed their young street families.
Noting that the town had around 347 street children, Monyenye urged stakeholders to find ways to rehabilitate them before the menace grows out of proportion.
The County Stall Owners Chairlady Jane Matiabe echoed the sentiments and blamed the menace on illicit alcohol brewers and drug peddlers who used the children as couriers.
“These adults take advantage of the current economic conditions to use these helpless youth to break the law instead of teaching them how to live the right way,” she said.
Kisii County Bodaboda Riders Association Coordinator Charles Getanda condemned the street boys some of whom invaded one of the hotels beat its workers, ate food and escaped with money and other foodstuffs.
The County Police boss Charles Kesses admitted that his office had received complaints REGARDNG the escalating street children menace in the town.
He said that the correction of the youth is a collective responsibility and appealed to all residents to take initiative as his officers take the lead.
The police boss said that the police had launched investigations and promised to report on the same soon.
By Enock Okong’o
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