The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection will launch a national street families census in the next two weeks in an effort to understand the current scale of homelessness across Kenya.
The Street Families Rehabilitation Trust will lead the three-day exercise in all 47 counties, starting on June 29th.
Officials anticipate a significant rise in the number of street families since the last count five years ago, which recorded 46,000 individuals living on the streets. The government has allocated Ksh. 50 million for the exercise, which is expected to provide critical data to inform future policy and rehabilitation efforts.
Mary Wambui, Chairperson of the Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund, said the census aims to capture the real scope and living conditions of street families nationwide. She noted that accurate data will help the government craft more effective strategies for rehabilitation and reintegration, especially as current funding remains insufficient to meet growing needs.
Despite the funding shortfall, Wambui expressed gratitude for the government’s ongoing commitment and revealed that the agency has secured 20 acres of land for a new national rehabilitation center.
Board member Ahmed Hussein emphasized the importance of the upcoming census, saying it would help track progress in reducing the street family population through existing support programs. He also highlighted that the government recently disbursed Ksh. 50 million to 24 institutions currently engaged in street family rehabilitation across 24 counties, with plans to expand nationwide.
Fellow board member Nancy Orango confirmed that the Ksh. 50 million allocated will cover the census in all counties. She thanked the Ministry of Interior for its key role in helping street families acquire essential documents like birth certificates and national ID cards – critical for reintegration.
However, board member John Kiriria voiced concern over the persistent lack of adequate funding for rehabilitation. He urged the government to increase financial support, noting that harsh economic conditions, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, have pushed more families into homelessness. He also pointed to the growing presence of street families from neighboring countries, which has further stretched local resources.
The nationwide census is expected to play a crucial role in helping Kenya respond more effectively to the complex needs of its street families.
