Concerns over the increased number of street children in Kakuma

Turkana

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

KNA by Peter Gitonga

Turkana West Deputy County Commissioner Chaunga Machaunga has expressed concern about the influx of children on the streets of Kakuma town and the Refugee Camp.

 Machaunga termed the issue as a menace of ages adding that the planned launch and operationalization of the Kakuma Rescue Centre will be a sigh of relief to both the Governments and the community.

He was speaking during a meeting held in Kakuma that included the County Government and partners to constitute a committee that will focus on planning for the launch and operationalization of the child rescue centre in Kakuma.

He said the Centre will not only serve Kakuma but also serve Lokichoggio Sub-county.

Machaunga, however, cautioned the Turkana community against mistaking the centre as a haven for getting food rather than to be used for emergency cases, where children affected can be held for a while before being integrated with their families.

The Joint Committee consists of the Turkana West Sub-County Administrator, Deputy Director of Social Protection, International Rescue Committee, UN Women, UNHCR, UNICEF, Senior Principal Magistrate, Director of Child Service in charge of Kakuma Refugee Camp and Directorate of Refugee Services.

The multi-sectoral team has been tasked to effectively plan for the launch and thereby mobilise resources to fill the gaps in the resource basket.

The Chief Officer for ECDE and Social Protection, Moses Korea, announced that the launch will be held on December 15, 2023.

He was grateful for the multi-sectoral committee established to spearhead the planning of the forthcoming event while reiterating the commitment of the County Government to operationalize the centre.

Chief Korea said the need to operationalize the rescue facility is prompted by a huge number of children on the streets of Kakuma town and Refugee Camp, hence the support to protect them.

He said the County has immensely invested in the construction of two dormitories for girls and boys, a kitchen, dining and store, two twin classrooms, an administration block, a perimeter wall to be completed soon, electricity connectivity, construction of an elevated steel water tank, among others.

 “We take pride in it, as Turkana County is among the few counties in Kenya with the required standard operating procedures (SOPs) on child rescue centres,” the CCO said.

 The Deputy Director for Social Protection, Hebrews Idoka observed that the operationalization of the new centre would need the joint support of the government and development partners for the community to fully realise the benefits that come with the rescue centre.

Courtesy; KNA