Street begging has been a common phenomenon across Kenyan towns and cities since time immemorial.
Despite concerted efforts by various authorities in charge of these urban centres to get rid of beggars from the streets, very little can be said to have been achieved. The begging menace actually seems to get out of control by day.
It is just the other day that the Nairobi County Government authorities arrested many beggars who had reportedly been brought to the city from Tanzania to beg on the streets.
Authorities estimate that the 'begging industry' in Kenya rakes in millions of shillings annually. However, this does not just happen especially at a time like now when many members of the public are aware that there are many beggars for hire scattered all over the streets.
In Kiambu urban centres like Ruiru, Thika, Kiambu, Limuru among other towns, beggars have resorted to the following ingenious tricks to continue surviving on the streets.
1. Using sick children. This is a trick that has seemingly proved successful for the begging community. Professional beggars in this area know pretty well that many passersby are likely to be touched by the kids' suffering and as a result contribute generously.
However, the most sickening thing is that after they are done with begging in say Thika, some days later you will find them for example in Ruiru with the same kid doing what they know best.
2. Coming to the streets with their own sympathisers. Sometimes you will find beggars with 'scary ailments' surrounded by many people who act concerned and sympathetic.
Don't be tricked! Some of them are sympathisers for hire whose main role is to act as bait for the unsuspecting passersby who will be attracted to the scene and end up contributing whatever it is that they have.
3. Pretend to be lost in the town. Some other beggars will pretend to be lost in town and will, therefore, ask you to help them with fare to get back home. They are mostly situated at matatu stages. Once they exhaust all the stages in one town, they will move to the next with a similar narrative.
There are, however, some beggars who are genuinely out in the streets to only seek help after which you will never see them on the streets.
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