The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has announced plans to conduct a national census of street families to better address their welfare and reintegrate them into society. Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua made the announcement during a recruitment exercise in Roysambu on Wednesday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to restoring the dignity and privileges of street families.
Mutua noted a significant increase in the number of street families across Kenya, attributing the rise to economic hardships, displacement caused by natural disasters, and family breakdowns. In response, the government, through the Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund, is formulating a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate affected individuals and repatriate those who are non-Kenyan nationals.
“We are reworking the rehabilitation and identification of street families. Some of them we are seeing in our country are foreigners that have come to Kenya because it is an economic giant in the region,” Mutua stated.
The CS highlighted that the Ministry is working closely with the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs to facilitate the census and ensure a smooth rehabilitation process. The census will not only identify the number of street families but also analyze the root causes of their situation, whether due to poverty, family breakdowns, or child trafficking.
Mutua appealed to Parliament for adequate funding to implement these vital programs effectively. The government aims to assess and place rescued children in educational institutions, while adults over 18 years of age will be assisted in obtaining identification documents. Additionally, internship programs will be available for those with professional training to help them secure employment and reintegrate into society.
“We are undertaking a census; we are just waiting for budgetary allocation so that we can have a breakdown, not only of identifying which ones are Kenyans and those who are not, but also where they come from in Kenya,” Mutua explained.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to tackle urban destitution and ensure that vulnerable individuals receive the necessary support to improve their livelihoods. By addressing the root causes and offering rehabilitation, the Ministry aims to create long-term solutions for affected families and individuals.
