Nakuru county has ordered for a stop on all street families, feeding initiatives in the city in a measure to address the rising number of children in the street.

Gladys Kamuren, Chief Officer for Gender and Social Services at the Nakuru County Government, has confirmed to Mtaa Wangu that feeding programs in the CBD were recently halted to stop the surge of the street families.

The County officials, argues that the move was informed by the fact that some well-intended efforts may have unintentionally attracted more children into town.

“The feeding was stopped after a meeting between security teams and the county government. Letters were issued about two weeks ago to people who run feeding programmes. When food sources reduce, the motivation for children to come to town also reduces,” Kamuren notes.

Echoing the sentiment, Charles Opiyo, chair of Nakuru Street Families, says the move could help curb the growing numbers of people choosing to live in the streets.

“The streets have genuine children who left home because of hardships and poverty, but we also have others who move to town to beg after learning there is food. Hawa ni watoto vichwa ngumu who enjoy the city center life of getting things for free,” Opiyo notes.

He added that many children come from informal settlements within Nakuru and often call their friends once they realize food is available in town, with some ending up permanently on the streets.

Opiyo also claimes some feeding initiatives have turned into fundraising ventures.

“Some people offer simple meals, take photos and videos, then seek sponsorship support. But the money does not always reach the children. Such people would never want the streets free of street families because this is their office,” he says.

Nakuru city has continued to witness a steady rise in the number of children and adults living on the streets which has raised concerns among Nakuru residents, business owners and social support groups.

Latest census conducted by Street focused Consortium indicate that the number of street children n Nakuru city rose by 426 children in four years.

The report reveals that in December 2022, 586 children and 384 adults were living or sleeping on the streets, bringing the total to 970 people. However, December 2025, the number had jumped to 1,396, including 708 children and 688 adults.

That means 122 more children were counted at night being on the streets, compared to three years ago, excluding more of them who come to beg during the day and go back home in the evening. A trend many residents say is already visible across the CBD.

A street child being motorist along Kenyatta Avenue

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Child protection actors are now urging stronger collaboration between the county, the Directorate of Children's Services and community groups to address poverty, family breakdown and school dropouts before children migrate to town.

According to Nancy Ndegwa, popularly known as Mama Street and a member of the Nakuru Street Focused Consortium, the issue should not be framed as crime.

“Street children are not a security threat; they are a child protection issue. Most of them come from broken homes and poverty. They are simply looking for survival,” she says.

Nancy notes, most street family centered individual step up to support these children in different ways, be it clothes, food, show them love and so on.

"The rise in street children is no longer just a statistic, it is a community reality touching estate, Biashara and families, and one that demands long-term solutions beyond rescue operations but mitigation from the grassroot levels," Nancy concludes.

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Nakuru county bans street families feeding programs as numbers in CBD spike in four years

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