Nairobi county to resettle street families
The Nairobi City County government has partnered with the National government to address the problem of street families comprehensively contrary to newspaper reports that Nairobi Governor, Dr Evans Kidero’s government would evict them from the city.
Kidero said the County government has set aside 40 acres of land in Ruai which it will use to construct a rehabilitation center, school and vocational training institution.
According to the governor, currently an Inter-Ministerial Committee is working on the plan to ensure that there is support expertise and structures to help the families, especially the children, with aim of finding humane ways of dealing with the issue.
LIFE ON THE STREETS
“I will ensure that the children are able to access formal learning and those who are above 16 years of age are trained in vocational skills. The Nairobi County government will also ensure that a fully functional and equipped medical clinic is provided for at the Center to ensure those who have health issues are taken care of,” Kidero said.
“Beside the medical team, there will be psycho-social workers and other experts on hand to support the families and children that may have challenges arising from their tough life on the streets. The educational institutions will eventually be centres of integration modelled on Starehe Boys Center and School, in which a third of the students will be admitted,” he added.
Kidero said once the streets are cleared of children, the institutions will still be needed for the vulnerable and poor families, especially those who live in slums in Nairobi.