The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the wellbeing of street families across the country, pledging to restore their dignity and empower them to rebuild their lives.
Speaking during a sensitization outreach at Don Bosco Boys’ Centre in Karen, Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, underscored the government’s determination to provide lasting solutions for some of society’s most vulnerable members.
“Street families remain among the most vulnerable members of our society. Each day, they face daunting challenges: lack of access to healthcare, exposure to harsh weather, insecurity, stigma, absence of legal identity, and very limited opportunities. Yet, behind every child, youth, or adult living on the streets lies a story of resilience, potential, and hope,” CS Cheptumo stated.
The CS highlighted the government’s policy and legislative measures, including the National Policy on the Rehabilitation of Street Families and the ongoing development of the Street Families Rehabilitation Bill, which aims to establish a robust legal framework for institutionalizing rehabilitation programmes. The Bill will also address root causes such as poverty, family breakdown, unemployment, and substance abuse.
She further noted that the Second National Census of Street Families had been conducted to generate reliable data to guide targeted interventions, focusing on rehabilitation, education, empowerment, and reintegration.
Cheptumo commended Don Bosco Boys’ Centre for its role in rescuing and rehabilitating children, praising the institution’s initiatives in vocational training, sports, and agriculture.
“These examples prove that with structured interventions, lives can be transformed and hope restored,” she remarked.
The CS also called for collective responsibility, reiterating that no single actor could resolve the issue alone. She lauded the partnership between the government, faith-based institutions, civil society, and the private sector in addressing the plight of street families.
“To our brothers and sisters from street families here with us today, I want you to know this—you matter. Your dignity is valued. You are not forgotten,” she affirmed.
In her rallying call, CS Cheptumo stated, “Ending life on the streets is not the responsibility of one institution, but of all of us. Every life has value, every dream deserves a chance, and together, we can turn streets into pathways of hope.”
