Barclays Bank in partnership with UNICEF today launched a street children rehabilitation programme worth Ksh.119million.

The three-year initiative, in which Barclays will contribute Ksh.107million while UNICEF gives Ksh.12.2million is aimed at establishing drop-in centres to coordinate all government services for vulnerable children especially in the provision of shelter, medical care and skills training.

The programme was launched by the Barclays Chief Executive for Global, Retail and Commercial Banking Mr. Frits Seegers during a breakfast meeting held at Serena hotel, Nairobi, attended by Vice President Moody Awori, UNICEF UK Chief Executive Mr. David Bull and UNICEF Kenya Representative, Olivia Yambi.

The CEO said Barclays was committed to helping the disadvantaged children in the country as part of its global community programme to assist the less fortunate.

He expressed optimism that through the initiative, an estimated 4,000 street children would be moved from streets to safer and secure environments within the next three years.

Mr. Seegers disclosed that the bank has also spent Kshs 60million in supporting the Free Primary Education, Health and institutions for the disabled.

In his remarks, Mr. Awori thanked Barclays and UNICEF for the initiative and assured them of the government's full support in its implementation.

He noted that the initiative would give destitute children opportunity to exploit their potential and contribute to national economy as well as dissuading them from getting into crime for survival.

Mr. Awori disclosed that the government has already identified four facilities in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu and Eldoret for the establishment of the drop-in points.

Saying that the country had 1.8 million orphans, Mr. Awori called for more partners to join the initiative.

"About a half of Kenya's population lives below the poverty line, which means that an estimated 8.6million children are in urgent need of support" Mr. Awori pointed out.

The Vice President enumerated the several initiatives the government had undertaken towards addressing the plight of the street children, adding that last week parliament passed a motion that enables an MP to bring a Bill establishing a fund for orphans and vulnerable children.

Ms Yambi said the thanked Barclays and the government for investing in programmes aimed at alleviating the suffering of street children.

The function was also attended by Permanent Secretary in the office of the Vice President Amb. Nancy Kirui, the chairman, Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund Dr. Manu Chandaria and Barclays bank of Kenya Managing Director Mr. Adan Mohammed among others.