Sh 10 million county rehabilitation center remains inoperational as number of street children surge in Nakuru city

Few meters from Njoro Police station is a building structure sitting adjacent to subcounty offices for environment and social services docket.

The building though complete is unfurnished and deserted. Silence and calm reigns the compound with no signs of any activities.

The compound grass remains unmowed while windowpanes in some buildings are broken. A peep through the window we notice that the well-done building remains unfurnished.

This is what is supposed to be the Njoro Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) rehabilitation center which has costed taxpayers Sh 10 million.

The initiative was first launched in 2021 by former governor Lee Kinyanjui as part of a long-term plan to rehabilitate street children and reduce their numbers within the county.

It also aligned with Governor Susan Kihika’s 2022 commitment to expand social protection and provide shelter and essential services to vulnerable street families in Nakuru.

However, four years since its launch, the project is yet to start serving its intended purpose.

On the other hand, the number of street children within the county has continued to witness an upsurge.

Street families’ representatives, and chairman of Street Families in Nakuru County, Charles Opiyo say they had been informed by the county that they would be moved in phases from the second week of February.

However, Nakuru County Chief Officer for Gender and Social Services Gladys Kamuren dismissed claims which she termed as misleading.

She explains that although construction is complete, the facility has not yet been equipped to receive children.

“We cannot receive the children right now because we do not have beds and other essential facilities. The move must be done in a dignified and well-planned manner to support rehabilitation and reintegration,” Kamuren says.

She added that relocation will involve screening children to determine those who can be reunited with families, those requiring rehabilitation, and those who need structured support within the facility. Kamuren expressed hope that, once preparations are complete, children under 18 will be moved from the streets in phases by April,2026.

Records from the Nakuru County Government shows the center has been developed in phases. In May 2023, works for a perimeter wall were handed over to the contractor, followed by Phase Three in March 2024, which included construction of bathrooms, kitchen renovations and electrical works. 

Opiyo notes that the completion of Njoro OVC would be a life changing moment for street children as they continue to increase within the City Center at alarming numbers. 

"February 15 was the day the children were to be moved; however, the county has not made any communication to us. My hope is that they will place priority to this home as it will support the efforts to reintegrate most of these children back into their family system and stop more from coming to town to beg, “he notes