Kenya

In Kenya the estimated population is about 30 million (1998 census) with an estimated 50% below the age of 18. The agricultural and manufacturing sectors, which contribute to over one-third of the GDP having been adversely affected by drought, market liberalisation and poor infrastructure, leading to a decline in economic growth. GDP has declined from 4.6% in 1996 to negative 0.3% in the year 2000. It is estimated that there are about 250,000 street children in Kenya with over 60,000 in Nairobi. Some are second or third generation street children. The number of children on the streets is still increasing.

Members

Action for Children in Conflict

International HIV/AIDS Alliance

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)

Jubilee Action

Plan UK

Railway Children

RETRAK

Save the Children UK

SOS Children's Villages

Street Kids International

Widows and Orphans International

Publications

A Civil Society Forum for East and Southern Africa on Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Street Children
This report documents The Civil Society forum for East and Southern Africa, the second in a series of regional forums organised by the Consortium for Street Children with the aim of bringing together key NGOs and government representatives from selected countries to exchange experiences and formulate recommendations for the promotion and protection of the human rights of street children within each region.

Africa's Orphaned and Vulnerable Generations: Children Affected by Aids
'Africa's Orphaned and Vulnerable Generations: Children Affected by AIDS' is an update of the 2003 report 'Africa's Orphaned Generations'. It incorporates new and refined estimates of the number of children orphaned in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as current research on the impact of AIDS and orphaning. Information about orphans in the region has increased significantly in recent years and research has become more rigorous. And, while information on other vulnerable children in the region lags far behind, the situation of some well-defined groups, such as children living with chronically ill parents, is now being studied more systematically.

Are Social Networks Significant in the Lives of Street Children? Insights from Mombasa, Kenya
This disseration aims to investigate a certain aspect of the street child phenomenon, namely the significance of social networks in their existence on the streets. Thirty one children were interviewed in Mombassa, Kenya, to determine their reasons for moving to the streets and whether the child had any contacts on the street before deciding to leave home; the ammount of contact they still had with their families; the importance, if any, of having friends and living in groups; whether such groups influence a childs participation in programmes seeking to assist them; and if targeting the group would be more attractive to street children, when designing future intervention programmes.

Born to High Risk: Violence against Girls in Africa
The African Child Policy Forum believes that ending violence against girls in Africa is one of the most pressing challenges facing Africa today. Hence, this report which has been prepared to inform the discussions at the Second International Policy Conference on the African Child: Violence Against Girls in Africa (May 11 and 12, 2006). The report pulls together information from three sources: existing literature in violence against girls; thematic studies on five settings in which African girls experience violence; and retrospective surveys of young girls' experiences of violence. This rich and revealing information has been analysed to give an overview of the magnitude of the problem, its causes and consequences, as well as the elements of a possible strategy for the way forward.

Building Resilience A Rights-based Approach to Children and HIV/AIDS in Africa
As the vulnerability of children living in communities affected by HIV/AIDS becomes a clear challenge, governments, international agencies, civil society, neighbourhoods, and families have mobilised to try to tackle the issues these children face. This report provides a brief overview of the responses of the international community and governments in rising to these challenges, the roles of the private and civil society sectors, as well as the responses of families and communities dealing directly with the children.The report argues that a Rights-based approach can rectify many of the distortions that have arisen from a crisis-driven response to children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty, and conflict, and can provide a beacon for moving forward. The underlying principles of universality, indivisibility, responsibility, and participation provide a firm foundation for framing priorities and responses to vulnerable children and families.

Children's Property and Inheritance Rights: Experience of Orphans Affected by HIV/AIDS and other Vulnerable Orphans in Kenya
The study briefly examine the seriousness of property grabbing in Africa and provide an in-depth analysis of property inheritance rights violation on orphans affected by HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable orphans in Kenya .Findings bring to fore deprivation of paternal and double orphans resulting from property grabbing , and observe the international and national response and validity to deal with the seriousness of the problem, and further examine lessons from civil society models and framework whilst illuminating key findings and action for social policy that could leverage positive livelihood outcomes for those children .This study argues and demonstrates that women property stripping relegates orphans into extreme poverty and protection of such property assets can yield tremendous improvement in their wellbeing. Children are not vulnerable only because of loosing parents but also property loss through grabbing which has immense negative impact on their livelihoods. Widows and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS suffer double tragedy and are more bewildered and attacked by property rights violation as laws and policies prove toothless and without validity over customary and negative practices.

Difficult Circumstances: Some Reflections on “Street Children” in Africa
This article cautions against the dangers of adult-centered approaches in child research, calling for more child-centred research methodologies.

Education for Street Children in Kenya: the role of the Undugu Society
This study evaluates the role of USK in providing education to street children, with a view of highlighting lessons for replication by other groups wishing to establish similar projects, allowing them to benefit from Undungu's experiences, strenghts and weaknesses. One of the main findings made in this study include the fact that one of Undugu's major achievements is that it provides an alternative form of basic education to children who are not able to take part in the formal system.

Gender-based Violence and Property Grabbing in Africa: A Denial of Women's Liberty and Security
Property grabbing is a new form of gendered violence against women, threatening the security of women across Southern and East Africa. Forced evictions are often accompanied by further acts of violence, including physical and mental harassment, and abuse. Widows are particularly vulnerable, partly as a result of weakened customary practice and social safety nets that used to provide support to widowed women and their children, a situation made worse by the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Defending their property has cost some women their lives, while other women have lost their shelter and source of livelihoods, and have become destitute. The harassment and humiliation that often accompany property grabbing further strip women of their selfesteem, affecting their ability to defend their rights.

Genesis of Street Children Phenomenon in Kenya Presented to “Kids Behind Bars” Conference-Bethlehem Palestine 30th June
Presentation presented at the 'Kids Behind Bars' Conference discussing the underlying factors, including HIV/AIDS, social and economic injustice and juvenile justice, which have contributed to the street child phenomenon in Kenya.

HIV/AIDS and Child Labour. A state-of-the-art review with recommendations for action.
A study on the pressure of HIV/AIDS and its exacerbating effects on child poverty, pushing many of them onto the labour market.

Life on the Street: The Chokora of Eldoret. Part 2.
This dissertation investigates the life of street children in Eldoret, Kenya. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR) I explore the lives of street children and bring out the diversity of their life experiences. I argue that current interventions tend to group children together and so fail to take account of their own unique needs. Street children are not all "helpless victims‟; they can in some cases exercise a degree of agency. I explore the multidimensionality of poverty and look at the causes of its existence, understanding that there is no single cause but a multitude of factors which must be analyzed. Any interventions must be transformative and target these root causes. Using various PAR methodologies, such as field journaling, listening, observation, focus groups and informal interviews, I have been able to explore their hidden vulnerabilities, which are otherwise unheard and go unnoticed. This dissertation is therefore about reflecting on street life and giving justice to children's voices. In so doing, the dissertation adds to the growing literature on the issue of street children in the developing world. Part 2.

Life on the Street:The Chokora of Eldoret. Part 1.
This dissertation investigates the life of street children in Eldoret, Kenya. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR) I explore the lives of street children and bring out the diversity of their life experiences. I argue that current interventions tend to group children together and so fail to take account of their own unique needs. Street children are not all "helpless victims‟; they can in some cases exercise a degree of agency. I explore the multidimensionality of poverty and look at the causes of its existence, understanding that there is no single cause but a multitude of factors which must be analyzed. Any interventions must be transformative and target these root causes. Using various PAR methodologies, such as field journaling, listening, observation, focus groups and informal interviews, I have been able to explore their hidden vulnerabilities, which are otherwise unheard and go unnoticed. This dissertation is therefore about reflecting on street life and giving justice to children's voices. In so doing, the dissertation adds to the growing literature on the issue of street children in the developing world.

Life without Basic Service ''Street Children Say''
This study builds on the learning of Street Diary (Save the Children UK, 2001), giving theopportunity for a group of children to represent their own analysis of their situation. Itexamines the human and emotional dimension of life on the street. This is not astatistical or quantitative research but is representative of the feelings of children livingon the street about their lives and organisations working with them.

List of Countries which have Signed, Ratified/Acceded to the African Union Convention on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Mkombozi Census 2006: The Rhetoric and Reality of Tanzania's Street Children
This paper presents the findings from Mkombozi's October 2006 Census, which assessed the trends and situation of vulnerable children on the streets in the Tanzanian towns of Arusha and Moshi.

Networking for Policy Change: An Advocacy Training Manual

Organizational Diagnosis for Advocacy
When groups are considering advocacy, it is helpful for them to assess what advocacy actually can offer their organization, what some of the benefits and risks might be and what organizational barriers might influence their success.

Policy Paralysis: A Call for Action on HIV/AIDS-Related Human Rights Abuses Against Women and Girls in Africa
Human Rights Watch has documented many gender-based human rights abuses in Africa that fuel the epidemic and make unbearable the lives of women and girls already living with HIV/AIDS. Their research is based largely on the moving and often horrifying stories told to us by African women and girls who have suffered abuse; many such stories are featured in this report. It is our hope that some understanding of the human reality of these abuses will lead to greater protection of the rights of the girls and women like those who have courageously told us of their experiences at the center of a deadly epidemic.

Reclaiming Our Lives: HIV and AIDS, Women's Land and Property Rights, and Livelihoods in Southern and Eastern Africa
This collection of narratives from East and Southern Africa aims to raise awareness not only about the heavy impact of HIV and AIDS on women's property rights and livelihoods in the region but also about the active steps being taken by grass roots organisations to respond to the crisis.  

Research on Street Children in Kenya
This study of the phenomenon of street children in Kenya gives a general historical background to the problem, followed by a brief survey of the scant literature available. The major part of the study includes a field survey of street children and assessment of the policies, programmes and laws affecting street children. The study sites included the urban centres of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Narok and Kitui. The sample population included 634 street children, 32 parents of street children and 80 members of the general public. Interviews, questionnaires, observations and a study of secondary sources formed the methodology.

Social Protection of Africa's Orphans and other Vulnerable Children
This paper reviews initiatives for orphans and vulnerable children by governments, NGOs, and the World Bank, with a view toward delineating good practices. Designing and implementing appropriate interventions to protect orphans in Africa is a daunting task. This paper examines some of the issues in program design, especially those bearing on targeting. It also assesses the advantages, disadvantages, and costeffectiveness of various program interventions, including education and health subsidies, fostering, orphanages, and children's villages.

Street children and Gangs in African Cities: Guidelines for Local Authorities
The objective of this report to provide guidelines for local authorities in Africa on how to deal with street children in their cities. This is done by: 1) Providing an overview of the issue of street children in general 2)Providing an overview of the issue of different roles local authorities can play when addressing the issue of street children.

Street Children and Juvenile Justice in Kenya
CSC has undertaken a two-year research and advocacy project with local partners to examine the situation of street children in juvenile justice systems in six countries: Kenya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Romania. This report documents the findings from this project in relation to Kenya. Research was undertaken and national, cross-sectoral workshops were convened involving street children themselves, civil society organisations, the police, judiciary, social and probation services and other stakeholders to identify key obstacles to the implementation of international human rights standards for street children in juvenile justicesystems in each country. With an emphasis on constructive dialogue and collaboration between civil society and government, the workshops addressed issues of national relevance, examined examples of innovative good practice in this area and outlined recommendations for further action.

Street Children in Nairobi: Gender Differences in Mental Health
This paper argues that although living on the street is an accepted way for Kenyan boys to cope with family poverty, girls are expected to remain at home. Thus girls' presence on the street is more likely to reflect family breakdown and be associated with negative developmental and mental health outcomes.

Street Children: The Situation in East and Southern Africa
Statement by Andy Sexton, International Director for Children at Risk OAS!S, to the House Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Human Rights and Global Operations Hearing; 'Protecting Street Children: Vigilantes or the Rule of Law?' This statement examines the situation of street children, using case studies from Ugnada and Zimbabwe,  and concludes with recommendations for international action.

Street Youth in Southern Africa
This article aims to systematically identify and describe contributions social scientists have made to our understanding of street youth in Southern Africa. The article points to problems of defining and doing research on street youth, and to areas in which there are difference of view point. Understanding the phenomenon of street children is needed for designing and fine tuning policy and programmes towards them  

Temperament characteristics of street and non-street children in Eldoret, Kenya
This cross-sectional study examines the interaction of temperament and environment and how these impact on the psychological function of street children and non-street children in Eldoret Kenya. The results support earlier research on street children. Counter to public opinion and hostility, the children are resilient, adaptable and flexibile in the face of adversity and remaining well adjusted as individuals. 

The Law of Succession in Kenya: Gender Perspectives in Property Management and Control
This booklet addresses the question of succession or inheritance vis-a-vis the Kenyan woman. It gives an account of the historical background to the laws of succession in thsi country, namely; customary, Moslem, Hindu and Common Law. It also examines the link between marriage and succession and land law and succession.

The Rights of the Child in Kenya: Kenya must take Further Action to Bring itself into Compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Press release by the World Organistaion against Torture, following the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's consideration of the second periodic report of Kenya on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, calling for the Kenyan government to take further action to bring itself into compliance with the CRC.   

The Story of Children Living and Working on the Streets of Nairobi
The study sought to look at the complex lives of the children living and or working in the streets of 12 selected locations of Nairobi, namely: Kibera, Korogocho, Kasarani, Nairobi West/Wilson Airport/Madaraka, Pumwani/Ziwani/Kariakor/Majengo, City Centre, Buru Buru/Kariobangi South/KCC, Dandora/Maili Saba, Huruma/Kariobangi, Embakasi, Mukuru and Mathare/Eastleigh/Pangani by adopting a broad-based, two pronged approach. It sought to do a headcount of these children profiling their lives in detail. Unlike previous studies that include children from the sprawling slums this study only dealt with those children either living or working on the streets. The study also attempted to go beyond the numbers to reconstuct their lives as they live it on a daily basis.The broad objectives of the study were: to generate information useful for project planning, to map out the situation of street children in different areas of Nairobi, to distinguish the proportions of the different categories of street children in Nairobi, to give the children an opportunity to express their views regarding their lives on the street and to provide partner organisations with a situational analysis of the children that they work with.

The Treatment of Children in the Criminal Justice System and the Progress of Street Children’s Rights in Kenya
The main objectives of this dissertation are to determine what factors cause children to go to the streets. By identifying these factors it will enable preventative measures to develop in terms of how to combat these problems in the initial stages before children take to the streets. Many children who go to the streets come into contact with the criminal justice system and it is the treatment of these children in the criminal justice system that is of importance, as these children are amongst the most vulnerable in society. The following questions are addressed; what are the factors that lead to children taking to the streets and consequentially, in conflict with the law and how can they be controlled and reduced; how are children treated through the criminal justice system and is this treatment in accordance with child protection articles internationally and in Kenya; what impact does violence have on children and how does this affect their rehabilitation.

To Have and to Hold: Women’s Property and Inheritance Rights in the Context of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Sahara Africa
This paper seeks to examine the link between HIV/AIDS and women's property rights - if women's lack of rights increases household poverty and women's own vulnerability to infection, and if securing these rights can mitigate the impoverishing impact of the epidemic. The first section of this report explores the relationship between HIV/AIDS and women's property and inheritance rights, and how women may be better able to prevent infection or mitigate its consequences if these rights are protected. The second section discusses the ways that women can obtain access to and control over property and how these rights are often denied in practice, and then provides several country examples. The third section explains de jure and de facto rights to ownership and inheritance and discusses how to bridge the gap when the two differ. The fourth section highlights some "best practices" in efforts to ensure women's property and inheritance rights. The report concludes with lessons learned and suggested next steps.

Trafficking in Human Beings, Especially Women and Children, in Africa
The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of key issues related to the trafficking of human beings, particularly women and children, in Africa. The report presents a preliminary mapping of trafficking patterns and provides an indication of emerging good practices on the continent.

Youth on the Streets: The Importance of Social Interactions on Psychological Well-being in an African Context
This study reflects four months of research including a two-week field assignment to Ethiopia, with the overall goal of gaining greater understanding of the impact of street youth programming on psychosocial well-being. The research was conducted through a partnership between the Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF) and the George Washington University (GWU). It contains three deliverables, including a new framework for child well-being, the identification of five key program components of street children interventions that are most likely to successfully contribute to psychosocial well-being, and the development of indicators to measure outcomes and impacts within these five domains.

Resources