Ministry wants Sh300m to address street children crisis

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is requesting an additional budget of Sh300 million to help rehabilitate street children nationwide.

Social Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari emphasized the need for more funding to support the Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund, which has faced challenges in effectively reaching street children.

“We have not been able to fully identify all the children living on the streets, which is why we are asking for more funds,” stated PS Joseph Motari.

Last year, the ministry received Sh200 million for this initiative, but officials argue that an extra Sh100 million is necessary to address the increasing demand.

In their presentation to the National Assembly Social Protection Committee, the ministry noted a significant funding gap for the 2025/2026 financial year, with the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) allocating only Sh150 million, resulting in a shortfall of Sh149 million.

“The State Department requests this committee’s intervention to address these issues, as failure to do so will adversely impact the implementation of programs and projects within the subsector budget,” the PS explained.

The department also informed the committee, led by Alice Nganga, that alongside rehabilitation efforts, they are seeking Sh200 million to effectively monitor and evaluate their programs and ensure the safety of their rehabilitation centers.

Officials raised concerns about encroachments on government land designated for these initiatives, highlighting the need for proper protective measures.

A significant project in need of funding is the construction of a perimeter wall for the Street Families Model Institution in Mavoko, which is part of a larger strategy to provide shelter, education, and skills training for rescued street children.

According to estimates from the Consortium of Street Children (CSC), an international charity, there are between 250,000 and 300,000 street children in Kenya, with around 60,000 residing in Nairobi alone.

The United Nations estimates the global number at 150 million, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.