Human Rights Activists in Eldoret town have accused Uasin Gishu County enforcement officers of brutality when handling street children.
The activists led by Benson Juma Akumu and Peter Njenga claim the street children have been facing brutality in the ongoing operation to move all of them to the rescue centre.
Two weeks ago, the county rolled out an initiative meant to ensure all street children in the bracket of school going are out of the streets.
But despite what the activists say is a good initiative, they claim the process is now being abused.
“We condemn the atrocities and brutality being meted against street families in Uasin Gishu. We’re not in dispute with the county to rescue street children to the rescue centre for rehab and repatriation. What we are against is the combative and violent approach the enforcement officers have adopted. That is not rescue but brutality,” said Akumu, the Director of Eldoret Social Justice Centre.
The ex-street boy notes that as stakeholders in the sector, they are not ready to be part of the process.
Proper rescue of street children
But with the process still ongoing, they now want Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim to stop it, and allow for proper measures to be put in place that will ensure the safe rescue of the street children from the Eldoret streets.
“The county needs to re-think the approach,” Akumu said.
Similar sentiments were shared by Peter Njenga, the director of Ex-Street Children Community Based Organization.
Njenga wants the governor to ensure all stakeholders are involved.
“We are not happy with the way things are being done. We know the street children if given a second chance can change but that does not mean we subject them to brutality,” he said.
Eldoret is among urban centres that have witnessed a rise in the number of street children.
The recent Covid-19 pandemic had worsened the situation with more children forced onto the streets.
It is only recently that Governor Bii presided over the commissioning of a new dormitory and kitchen at the Eldoret Rescue Centre.
The facilities were set up courtesy of a collaboration between the county and the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
