The Kenya National Association of Social Workers (KeNASW) has urged devolved units and the national government to work closely with them in efforts to ensure street children and reunited with their families.
Speaking during the celebration of this year’s World Social Work Day in Eldoret town, the KeNASW chairperson Josephat Kiarie said that they are creating awareness to the entire society about street children so that they can be accept and receive them.
“We as social workers, the first thing that we were doing to end evils that are happening in the society is to sensitize people,” said Kiarie.
The World Social Work Day is observed every year on the third Tuesday of March. 2022 Theme is ‘Co-building a New Eco-Social World: Leaving No One Behind’.
The Social Workers association chair further said that the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to the rise in numbers of street families, majority of them being young in age.
He also noted that a majority of the street families prefer to stay in the streets rather than be at Rescue Centre.
According to Kiarie, most of the street family members are burdened with responsibilities of feeding their children and siblings – hence they have to be on the streets to look for food.
The association also called for government and other stakeholders to help in ensuring street children go to school and secure their future.
It also raised concerns over the transparency of government funds mean to support street families and address the menace – pointing out that social workers have not benefuted from the funds.
“If we do not get a solution, we will talk with other stakeholders and donors concerning the management of street families’ funds,” said the KeNASW chairperson.
Eldoret is among urban centers with the highest number of street families in the country.