Gusii community has started its programme of rehabilitating street boys in various townships in Kisii and Nyamira counties, with the aim of reforming the lives of the children who are said to be engaging in criminal and sexual related activities.
The process officially kicked off on Wednesday at Chepilat township in Nyamira and is expected to cover major trading centres in the region.
Speaking during the exercise, Steve Mbogo, who led the exercise said those who have been under the influence of illegal drugs and alcohol will be taken to Asumbi Rehabilitation Center before they are taken to various schools and technical colleges.
“As Gusii community we decided to start the exercise because we are aware of raising cases of children engaging in crime and sex. Some are under the influence of drugs at the tender age. We are rehabilitating them at Asumbi before we look for appropriate institutions to enroll them,” he said.
Mr Mbogo said the exercise targets at least 200 children in major trading centers and urged the local community to help identify them.
“We need 200 of them for the start and we will rely on the local community. The children are part of the community and we will not just sit and watch them perishing. We have enough resources that can successfully take them to the rehab and even colleges or schools of their choice but they strictly have to be below 18 years,” he added.
More than twenty poverty stricken families in the small township received food stuff, with the exercise expected to stretch to Kisii, Nyamira, Keroka and other townships.