The Kiambu County government has been urged to address the rising number of street children in the county.
Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of a child welfare campaign in Thika, Action for Children in Conflict Director, John Muiruri, said that the number of street urchins has risen to alarming levels.
“We want to appeal to both the national and Kiambu governments to address this issue as we have seen the number of street children rise from 200,000 in 2009 to more than half a million today,” said Muiruri.
The director said that the children have been turned into beggars, muggers and prostitutes and it was the government’s responsibility to protect them. He noted that neglect by parents and guardians have greatly contributed to the sharp rise in street children in the area.
“The constitution in itself guarantees the welfare and protection of all children through the Children Act,” he added.
Muiruri at the same time called for the establishment of rehabilitation centres in the county where the children will be guided and counseled, adding that through counseling, guidance and education, the children’s lives would change for the better.
The official further called for partnership between the government, public sector and NGO’s to protect and better the lives of street children.