Kericho: There are significantly more males than females living on the streets of Kericho County, with only two females identified so far in the ongoing national street families census. The survey also indicates that 80 percent of those enumerated fall within the youth bracket, ranging from children to individuals in their early twenties, with only 20 percent being older adults.
According to Kenya News Agency, the census, which began on 2nd July 2025, is being conducted by the State Department for Social Protection. It aims to establish a comprehensive profile of street families across the country, with the information gathered expected to guide future policy decisions on rehabilitation, reintegration, and social support. Speaking to KNA, Kericho East Sub County Children's Officer Ms. Carol Ruto said that in Kericho County, preliminary statistics indicate a total of 161 street family members, with Kericho Town having the highest number at 131 individuals, followed by Litein in Bureti Sub County with 17, Chepseon in Kipkelion East with 12, and Kapkatet with one individual.
Ms. Ruto explained that the census is being carried out by a team of five officers, including two supervisors and three enumerators under the coordination of the Children's Department in partnership with the national government. She added that the exercise was ongoing and additional data would be collected in other centers within Kericho. The information being gathered goes beyond basic demographic details, as it includes names, age, gender, education level, family history, and reasons for ending up on the streets. Health information such as frequency of hospital visits, reproductive health needs, and challenges in accessing care is also recorded.
The census also captures data on drug and substance abuse, exposure to gender-based violence, availability of identification documents, and whether respondents have previously benefited from government or NGO assistance. Ms. Ruto noted that most individuals reported leaving their homes in search of food, income, or survival due to poverty and family-related challenges, and the majority were willing to leave the streets if supported.
Initial responses indicate that many street family members, especially the younger ones, would be open to joining rehabilitation programs or returning to school if such opportunities were made available. These findings are encouraging and will guide how support services are structured going forward. Ms. Ruto highlighted that before enumeration began, a mapping exercise was conducted to locate known bases or informal gathering points for street families, which helped enumerators reach consistent groups and associate individuals with known locations, improving accuracy and follow-up potential.
In addition to demographic and social data, the census has exposed broader risks that street families face, including drug dependency, violence, poor sanitation, and lack of clean water. Ms. Ruto expressed that the findings will help in planning both short-term interventions and long-term policies. Once the census is completed, the final figures will be submitted to the national government for planning and budgeting purposes. County-level stakeholders such as children's offices, rehabilitation centers, and community-based organizations are also expected to use the data to improve local programs.
This is the second street families census being conducted in Kenya since 2018, and the current exercise responds to changing urban conditions and the need for updated data to address street family issues more effectively.