Mombasa,KENYA: Community based organizations in conjunction with the government moved in to curb the surge of street families in Mombasa county.
While speaking at a conference in Magongo Primary School ground on Wednesday, the secretary for Street Families and Rehabilitation Trust Fund, Robert Njogu said they are on the run to rehabilitate and assist the street children around the county.
“We normally co-odinate, rehabilitate, rescue and re-intergrate the street families by working together with partner institutions in order to bring them together and motivate them.”He said.
Njogu added they were working on the street children’s talents and future visions .
The County children Co-ordinator Mr. Philip Zenge who was present at the event said they take them into their institutions, educate them and offer employment after rehabilitation process.
“Mombasa County has about 700 street children with utmost 400 in our institution where we are assisting them,” said Zenge.
Baraka FM managed to speak to two former street children Robert Kariuki and Joseph Mwangi who are beneficiaries of the initiative.
Robert said the high cost of living forced him to live in the streets but rehabilitation has helped him reform largely.
“I have now realized my visions, I’m a musician as well as an actor, maneuvering my way is what am focusing on,” said confidently.
Joseph Mwangi who was taken to Wema Centre after the officers found him in streets is now a graduate at Daystar University.
“My father died when I was 9 years old, my mother couldn’t be able to sustain my basic needs. I ended up in the streets. I was nowhere but now am somewhere. Am an entertainer, a DJ and MC.The officers from Wema centre took me into their institution and I was rescued to be whom I’am today.” Said Joseph.
Some of the rehabilitation Centres they have been working in conjuction with in the coast region are The Methodist Church of Kenya,Glaxore and Wema centre in Mombasa.
