Advocacy groups assisting street children in Nakuru are blaming government officials for failing to safeguard the rights of these vulnerable individuals.

These groups, operating under the Nakuru County Children Homes Network, are concerned about the strained relationship between the public and street children.

Their concerns follow a protest by street children in mid-March after one of their own passed away under mysterious circumstances.

Unfortunately, the police responded by using tear gas to disperse the protesters, resulting in damage to property and stalls.

Erick Langat, a representative from the Nakuru County Children Homes Network, emphasized that street children, like other Kenyans, should enjoy their constitutional rights.

The groups have criticized the government for the slow process of issuing National Identity Cards to street families, which has prevented them from participating in the country’s development agenda and other democratic rights.

The caregivers are also urging the government to take strict action against drug peddlers, who have been exploiting street children and other innocent individuals in Nakuru.

The groups are calling for a collective approach to tackling drug and substance abuse, which has become a national disaster and a threat to the safety of street-connected children.

These concerns were raised during this year’s International Day for Street Children, which was themed ‘Keeping Street-connected children safe.’