Nakuru residents have welcomed the county government move to eject street children from the town Central Business District.
The swoop, which took place on Saturday and Sunday has seen majority of the children arrested and locked up.
“They had become a menace as they always followed me when I come for shopping begging for money. They are always intimidating as they come in a group,” said Carol Chebet.
Linet Wambui, a resident, said that they once threatened to beat her if she failed to give them cash.
“On one occasion they warned me that if I do not give them cash they will beat me,” said Wambui.
Emmanuel Wanga applauded the county government for the move and urged it to come up with a long term solution to the problem, citing that they always found their way back to the streets.
“They should look into ways of rehabilitating them and creating employment for them. Otherwise they will come back to the streets and continue harassing and intimidating people,” said Wanga.
Wanga expressed concern that there has been an upsurge of the urchins who often slept on the streets every night.
“This is dangerous to their health; they can contract diseases,” Notes Wanga.