AN ASSESMENT OF CHALLENGES FACING STREET CHILDREN

LIVING IN ELDORET TOWN

NAME: MITCHELL MORAA

INDEX NO: 5781010451

COURSE CODE: 1410

INSTITUTION: ELDORET NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC

SUPERVISOR: MR. BENEDICT OTIENO

DEPARTMENT: LIBERAL STUDIES

SUBMITTED TO: KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATION COUNCIL IN

PARTIAL FULFILMANT FOR THE AWARD OF CERTIFICATE IN
SOCIAL WORK AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

SERIES: JULY 2022

DECLARATION

I declare that this Research Project is my original work and has not been submitted for any
other diploma in any other college.

Signature______________________ Date: ________________

Leila

This Research Project has been submitted for examination with my approval as the college
Supervisor.

Signature: ______________________ Date: ________________

i
DEDICATION

I dedicate this research work to our Almighty God, who has walked with me since I started
this work and enabled me come this far.

Special dedication to my dear mother family who sacrificed and invested so much in my
education.

ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First all I would like to begin with thanking my God who has been with me in every single
step the way through my stay in diploma Program

Special thanks go to street children who have participated on this study and key informants
from social workers from the 5 street children rehabilitative institutions and the children’s
officers from the 4 constituencies who provided me with ample information without which
this research could not be successful. I thank you for your time and support.

Also I would like to thank all my friends for their support both materially and emotionally.
Thank you very much for being there whenever I need your support and input.

Last but not least my thanks go to my family who have been beside me whenever I need their
help. Thank you for your emotional and material support and God bless you all.

iii
 ABSTRACT

The study sought to establish the challenges faced by street children in Eldoret Town. It was
guided by the following three specific objectives. First to examine the lifestyle of street
children secondly to identify challenges faced by street children and thirdly to assess their
survival and coping mechanism they employ to overcome the challenges they face. Chapter
two comprised of the literature review which covered the lifestyle of the street children,
challenges they face on the streets and their survival and coping mechanism they employ to
overcome the challenges they face. The theoretical framework and conceptual framework are
also given in this section. Chapter three presents the research methodology and the research
design was descriptive which targeted street children, social workers from NGOs
rehabilitating street children and officers from department of Children in the four
constituencies. Data was collected using questionnaires for 25 street children, and key
informant interviews were conducted with 4 children officers and 5 social workers. The
statistical Package for Social Science was used for quantitative data while thematic analysis
was used for qualitative data analysis. Study findings showed that street children in Eldoret
Town face myriad challenges which included health problems; access to basic needs such as
shelter, food, clothing; psychological and social problems; abuse (physical, sexual, verbal);
water and sanitation problems. The severity of these challenges varied depending with age
and one’s sex.

iv
 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the problem

Street children are the common problem that has been occurring throughout the world for
a long time. The problem of street children has emerged as a major social problem.
Many children come from structurally disadvantaged homes where poor living
conditions result in many difficulties. Parent's loss through death or abandonment
and/or family conflict or shortage of housing may force children onto the streets. In
many cases the move to street life is an adaptive response to the stress and severe
oppression experienced by families living in a society of conflict. Thus, they move to
the streets to be free from their parents and their wish to stand independently
(Pradhan, 2007). Children are an integral part of the society and they deserve the
childhood, as it is their in born human right. The UN convention on the rights of the
child has ensured that every child in the world has right to survival, development,
protection and participation (ILO, 2011).

However, an overwhelming majority of children in the world are deprived and denied of
their fundamental rights. Rigid socio-cultural norms, illiteracy, economic
backwardness and ignorance of basic human rights are the major determinants of
street children. Being a street child does not only exploit the childhood of a child, but
it also comes as a major obstacle in their development process. Friends-international
&CSCN (2011) found that health problem, road accident, hunger, unequal abusive
relationships with gangs, violence and sexual abuse are problems by street children.
To cope with their day to day problems, some street children resort to unethical ways
of survival with substance abuse, prostitution, begging, hawking and street
scavenging taking the lead. (Samuel, 2014; Abebe, 2008 & Adugna, 2006)

Children sniff glue to deal with hunger, pain and violence they are exposed to on the
streets. Glue is preferred because it’s cheap, its effects are long lasting and its
withdrawal symptoms are mild. They also live in pairs or groups commonly known as
gangs not only for companionship but also comfort, security and a framework for
socialization. According to Consortium of Street Children (2007) it was reported that
1
 there were 250,000-300,000 children living and working on the streets across Kenya
with more than 60,000 in Nairobi and this number is increasing annually. This study
attempts to shed lights to challenges, lifestyle and coping mechanisms of street
children in the streets of Eldoret

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The challenge of poverty in our society for many years has left a big question in adequate
care and support of children and other members of the family. This has gradually
resulted to endless challenge of street children in many Kenya’s major towns. To cope
with the ever-increasing financial pressures, more and more children from the low
income generating family are being pushed onto the street. Root causes of the street
child problem are family causes, social causes, economic causes, political causes.
Every year hundreds of children leave their home and migrate to urban areas for a
better future. Most of these children slowly graduate to begging, pickpocketing, drug
trafficking, child prostitution, scavenging and lastly hard criminals.

Problems facing street children include harassment (sexual), a general danger of violence,
sexual exploitation, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, abuse,
neglect, hunger, lack of shelter, pregnancy and lack of sanitary conditions. Despite
government and non-government organizations taking initiates to combat the street
children problem, the problem has not stopped. It’s gaining momentum continuously
in another form. Keeping in mind the misery of street children the proposed study
aims to open a line of sociological inquiry into the world of street children.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.3.1 General objective

The main objective of the study is to identify the challenges faced by street children Eldoret
Town

1.3.2 Specific objectives

i. To examine the lifestyle of street children on the street of Eldoret.
 ii. To assess their survival and coping tactics in response to the challenges they face on
the streets.

1.4 Research questions

i. What are their activities for survival in response to the challenges they encounter on
the streets?

ii. What is their mode of living?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study gives information about the lifestyle, problems and coping and survival tactics
of street children. It provides the knowledge and necessary information concerning
the street children in Eldoret Town. It helps to get an idea regarding current situation
of the street children, which will ultimately help in the development of the children’s
welfare. But above all this, the study aids in creating awareness among people in
terms of eliminating all forms of abuse, exploitation and injustice against children.

1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the study

The focus of the study is on the street children on the streets of Eldoret Town. The study
covers the causes, challenges, lifestyle and the survival tactics of street children.

In this research am going to work with children welfare organizations such as

rehabilitation centers and children’s home to determine why linked children go back
to the streets.

The study is limited to the major streets of Eldoret which are known to host street
children this is due to time allocated to the research study.

Sometimes streets children can get aggressive this could make it difficult to obtain
detailed information. Street children also use ‘sheng’ which can be difficult to
understand.
 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

This chapter focuses on discussion of the concept of street children, global overview of
street children, street children in African and Kenyan context, lifestyle of street
children, challenges they face on streets and their coping and survival tactics,
knowledge gap, conceptual and theoretical framework. The rationale of the literature
review is to provide a picture on what has been done and what needs to be done.
Boote and Beile (2005) suggest that literature review sets the broad context of the
study, clearly demarcates what is and what is not within the scope of the investigation,
and justifies those decisions.

2.1 The Concept of Street Children

Defining street children is a difficult task especially considering the many uncertainties
surrounding the term. The term street child is usually applied to children under the
age of 18, who either live or make a living on the streets. Some may have family
connections, but others are simply abandoned or choose to run away from home, often
due to domestic violence (Consortium for Street Children, 2007). The Inter-Non-
Governmental Organization defined street children “Any girl or boy who has not
reached adulthood, for whom the street (in the broadest sense of the word, including
unoccupied dwellings, wasteland) more than their family has become her or his real
home, abode and/or sources of livelihood, and who is inadequately protected,
supervised or directed by responsible adult”. In this study street child refer to any boy
or girl below 18 years for whom the street has become his\her habitual abode or
source of livelihood and who is inadequately protected, supervised or directed by
responsible adult.

2.2 The Global Overview of Street Children

Street children exist in every part of the world and large groups of children unsupervised
by adults have seen in almost every country. According to UNICEF there are between
10 and 100 million street children in the world today. For example, In Europe the
problem of street children was virtually unknown, primarily as a result of ancient
 Roman law that provided the father with unlimited power over his children. This
power enabled the father to eliminate unwanted children by killing them or selling
them as slaves (Peacock, 2000). However, during the 19th century in Europe, the
industrial revolution in the process of revolutionizing the British economy impaired
the livelihood of many workers. This disrupted family life creating many homeless
children, many of which could be found on city streets. As the industrial revolution
appeared first in England, the problem with abandoned children may have appeared
first in Britain (Ferguson, 2003). Moreover, it was noted that there were lots of
destitute children then who were either orphaned or abandoned and had no place to
live. There were street boys in major cities like London, Liverpool and Manchester.

Notwithstanding the above information, the problem of street children is not limited only
to the developed world but rather it also prevails in the developing world which
includes: Latin America, Asia and Africa. For example, Moran and Castro (2004)
noted in many Latin American and Caribbean cities in the wake of the economic crisis
of the 1980s sparked a sense of urgency. On the other hand, Kopoka (2000) indicated
that the problem of street children is a growing problem worldwide, more so in
African countries. In addition to that, UNICEF (2007) noted that street children in
Africa are estimated currently to be in the range of 40 million. Further evidence on the
problem situation of street children in Africa is as discussed under the sub-section
below.

2.3 The Problem of Street Children in the African Context

In African continent, the problem of street children rose dramatically in the late 1980s and
early 1990s. However, in the 21st century the problem is rising at a geometrical level
and thus presents a challenge to all stakeholders in the society. That means the street
children phenomenon has become one of the biggest problems of social welfare in
most African countries. According to Mwansa et al (2005) the condition of children
living and working on the streets of most urban areas in Africa has assumed
problematic dimensions because many people are beginning to identify with the
situation as needing an urgent and pragmatic attention. Moreover, the realization of
the problematic nature of the street children phenomenon has not corresponded with
an aggressive response from governments to deal with the problem.
 According to UNICEF there are estimated 60,000 street children in Addis Ababa and
150,000 nationwide. Similarly, the same situation is experienced in Sierra Leone. The
number of street children had increased geometrically, from 10,000 in 1990 to about
200,000 in 1998. However, in recent years, the situation is more critical in urban
centres of many African countries. Ferguson (2003) estimated that Africa has about 10
million street children.

In East African countries, there are similar situations like other African countries. For
instance, in Tanzania according to Ngowi (2012) it is estimated there are about
437,500 street children in Tanzania commonly referred as ‘watoto wa mitaa’. On the
other hand, Kenya like Tanzania the situation of street children persists and
particularly Nairobi. In 2001 it was estimated that there were 10,000 to 30,000 street
children and in 2007 the graph was growing and it was estimated that there were
between 250,000 and 300,000 children living on the streets in the country with more
than 60,000 living in Nairobi (Smeaton, 2011).

According to African Union (2011), in Africa the problem of street children should be
seen as a response to a chain and accumulation of factors which are diversified and at
various levels particularly structural factors (such as poverty, demographic explosion,
rural exodus, undesirable material and psychological conditions of urban families and
injustices. Furthermore, the inter-personal factors such as subjection to violence on a
daily basis, rejection, scorn, forced imitation, imposed deviant behaviour or inability
to resist the attraction to deviant forms of behavior contribute to the problem of street
children

2.4 Street children in Kenya

According to CSC (2011), there are more than 300,000 children and youth on the streets
who engage in survival tactics that endanger their wellbeing and that of the society
most of them are abused, neglected, exposed to criminal and gang activities, suffer
poor health due to their lifestyles and exposure to HIV/AIDS infection. He said the
large numbers of children who live and work on the streets is a reflection of some of
the most intractable development challenges of the society, which he attributed to lack
of proper education and family guidance in upbringing.
 Rapid and unsustainable urbanization in the post-colonial period, which led to entrenched
urban poverty in cities such Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa is an underlying cause of
child homelessness. Rural urban migration broke up extended families which had
previously acted as a support network, taking care of children in cases of abuse,
neglect and abandonment. The problem of street children in Kenya is growing at an
alarming rate and calls for urgent attention from the stakeholders (CSC, 2011).

2.5 Lifestyle of street children

In most literature lifestyle is defined as the ways we live in order to fulfill our needs and
goals (Liau, 2006, p. 6), encapsulating representations, institutions, behaviours and
habits, beliefs, values and social and economic systems. According to Rajan Saxena
(2006), Lifestyle refers to the beliefs, attitudes, interests, and opinions that an
individual has about himself, his family, and the world (p. 173). It is a concept that
refers to alternative ways of living, usually conspicuous through values and modes of
consumption (Scott & Marshall, 2005, p. 365). In another words, lifestyle refers to the
physical, mental and spiritual actions of a man on a day-to-day basis (Jain, 2007, p.
7). There is general agreement among sociologists that lifestyle refers to a mode of
living, which is distinctive and therefore recognizable. Lifestyle refers to a way of
living of families, individuals and societies. Street children have to encounter an
endangered, inadequate lifestyle which is thoroughly transient (Sukla, 2005; Pape,
2013) with their most visibility in the streets, far from any identifiable home
(Chidebell, 2013, p. 270).

Street children live single, in pairs or in group(s). They sleep on railway, launch and bus
terminals, by the sides of high roads, pavement, market places, abandoned homes,
slams and shunts, broken cars, mosques and churches etc. They, even most of the
time, do not bath on day and keep one set of cloth they wear it until torn. They eat
discarded food considered rationally impure and medically harmful. They have no
abode, no possessions, no family bindings and no society (in general). Devoid of
material resources and the support system that are indispensable for survival, these
children lead nomadic life on the streets and work at any occupation (Nalkur, 2009)
that pays, which ranges from street vending, washing cars, dealing with drugs and
contraband items to prostitution (Save the Children UK, 2000, p. 2).
2.6 Challenges facing street children

Major problems experienced by street children include:

2.7 Coping strategies among street children

Street children use various coping strategies to deal with problems they face on the street.
They rely on the efforts of a blend of activities for survival. They draw on their
various forms of resources (negotiating skills, labor and social networks) in the
process of making a living on the street. Their survival skills and various coping
strategies toughen them to survive on the streets (Samuel, 2014, p170). The street
children make use of legal and illegal ways to cope with problems on the street.

Food:

Samuel (2014) intimated that street children’s survival strategies are complex and
interwoven: The basic need of life that may be essential for an individual to reach
self-sufficiency includes but not limited to food, water, shelter, and clothing. These
four are indispensable to the existence of street children. Survey conducted in Addis
Ababa revealed that out 50 children, 22 (44%) use begging as coping strategy usually
from hotels and restaurants. This means most street children survive from begging.
They usually get food from hotels in exchange of emptying garbage, carrying loads,
gardening, cleaning and washing dishes.

Clothing:

According a study conducted in Addis Ababa street children use purchasing second hand
cloth as most common means of getting cloth and second most common source of
cloth was sympathetic people and collecting from garbage (Adugna, 2006). This study
to point out the fact that some of these street engage in indecent activities such as
thievery to get clothes.

Shelter:

A study conducted in Addis Ababa revealed that out of 50 respondents, the majority 29
(58%) spent the night in rented shelter at the time of interview. They rent shelter
 either on daily or monthly basis, 15 (30 %) of the respondents spend the night on
verandas. The ‘other’ category (12%) spends the night often in video houses,
abandoned buildings and cars. Although the majority of children do not have
sufficient shelter, they are capable of organizing their own shelter construction
adjacent to modern buildings, public parks, and against walls of churches (Adugna,
2006, p92). Another study in Adama revealed that a street child who makes money
mainly through shining shoe rent house in group (Girmay, 2007).

2.7.2 Coping strategies street children use to deal with health problems

Finding from a study in Delhi showed that the most common health facility where
respondents got health service were private clinic and the second most popular source
of treatment for street children were health camps followed by NGO health services
and mobile health service (Bhaskaran & Mehta ,2011).

2.8.3 Coping strategies street children use to deal with psychological problems

Street children in Addis Ababa use drug to change their feeling and have good time in
(Hetch , 1998 as cited in Adugna,2006). According to Rana (2011) street children
respond to psychological problems in various ways which include feeling inferior and
depression through being antagonistic and developing hateful attitude which further
manifested in involving in criminal or aggressive behaviors. To solve their problems,
they also smoke, take alcohol and other cheap drugs. These street children who lived
without care had much inclination to take on negative ways to deal with their
problems, which further aggravate their condition and induced them to drug addiction,
store restlessness in their minds, and cultivate loneliness in their social life (Rana,
2011).

2.7.4 Coping strategies street children use to deal with abuse

According to Samuel (2014) in Kumasi in addition to coping with problems of access to

food, clothing and shelter street children also has to deal with how they protect
themselves against violence and other forms of abuse (Samuel,2014). A study in three
provinces of Pakistan found out that street children were more often than not exposed
to unsafe environment where they were faced with aggressive groups. Thus, to cope
with this difficulty they use their innate ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ reaction which is natural
 coping mechanisms (Rana, 2011). This natural defense mechanism gave them extra
power to confront those threats and overcome their fears or to escape immediately in
case of intensity of unfavorable situation or danger. They learned to cope with
dangerous situations from their daily experiences and develop some kind of internal
and external defense mechanisms which they never hesitate to use when time comes.
These responses had some negative impacts on the life of street children especially
when triggered incorrectly (Rana, 2011, p341). It was revealed that as a defense
mechanism they had formed a group commonly known as “gang” for their protection
and pledged to fight for the other members of the group in case any member of their
group was attacked by anyone outside the group. But if one started abusing them
verbally they responded in an even more aggressive manner and made one’s position
awkward (Rana, 2011, p334-336).

2.7.5 Coping strategies respondents use to deal with problems of water and sanitation
facilities

Street children have to earn to pay for accessing drinking water and toilet services to
some extent. In many places, the street children cope with the problem of access to
drinking water through begging drinking water with bottles. Finding also showed that
during Summer Street children rely on water pots at taxi stands was one major source
of drinking water for them. Study result showed that street children also rely on
community taps and pumps for water. A study in South Africa revealed that street
children bath in areas like ocean, railway stations, leaking water pipes and public
water kiosks. Findings also revealed that respondents use places like public toilets,
railway stations, hotels /restaurants, park/road side and sea sides as toilet (Ghemo,
2005).

2.8 Knowledge gap

Despite previous studies on this topic not much has been achieved, street children are still a
common problem to the society today. According to UNICEF 100 children join street every
year this shows how much the problem of street children requires urgent attention from
government, private organizations, NGOs and other agencies concerned with the welfare of
children. To understand the problem of street children you have to know their lifestyle
something which past studies have not clearly shown also previous have not done much on
the challenges they face on the streets they have focused a lot on the causes. It is in the
interest of this gap that the current study will fill the gap by addressing the lifestyle and
challenges of street children

2.9 Theoretical framework

To discuss the problem of street children the study adopted conflict theory.

2.9.1 Conflict Theory

According to Ritzer (2000) the conflict perspective considers how society is held together by
power and coercion for the benefit of those in power. In this view, social problems emerge
from the continuing conflict between groups in the society based on social class, gender,
ethnicity/race and in the conflict, the powerful groups usually win. This perspective offers no
easy solutions to social problems. There could be a total overhaul of the system, but that is
unlikely to happen. We could reform parts of the structure, but those in power would retain
their control. The biggest social problem from this perspective is the system itself and the
inequality it creates.

It has been well documented that street children more often than not are bound to come
into conflict with the security forces and the law (Pinheiro, 2006). He says that it is
important to remember, first, that street children usually come from the poorest
families in the society and often from indigenous minority or low-class groups, and
second, once on the streets, many children engage in risky, often illegal, behaviour in
order to carry on including begging, loitering, thievery and sex working.

Conflict theory and the street children phenomena can also be discussed from the point of
view of the local business community‘s worries about the safety of urban streets
which stands paramount. Conflict of interest is inherent in any relationship because
those in powerful positions will always seek to maintain their dominance.
Contemporary conflict theorists have argued that conflict emerges from other social
bases, such as values, resources, and interests. Mills, 2000 argued the existence of a
power elite, a small group of political, business, and military leaders who control our
society. As such those with resources (businessmen) in urban areas are more
interested in the relocation of street children from their business pavements and streets
in colonial Kenya (Droz, 2006).
Conflict theorists also argue that the powerful sections of society also benefit by
maintaining the status quo. For instance, there has been an increase in the number of
NGOs operating street children interventions; however, this increase has had little or
no significant decrease in the number of street children in urban areas. As such there
has been growing financial and political leverage of NGOs interfering in local affairs
in the name of street children ‘s rights.
 2.10 Conceptual framework

Dependent variable

Independent variable

Figure 1: Conceptual framework

The conceptual framework above is a diagrammatic representation of how variables are

linked. An attempt to establish the relationship between independent and dependent variables
was made. The dependent variables (lifestyle, challenges and coping and survival strategies)
are linked with independent variables (street children) respectively.
 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter describes the research methodology that this study was used. It discusses the
design, target population, sample and sampling procedures, study instruments, data collection
and data analysis.

3.1 Research design

The study adopted the descriptive survey design. This design provides quantitative or
numeric description of trends, attitudes, or opinions of a population by studying a sample of
that population (Creswell 2003). The range of methods within the qualitative and quantitative
methodologies provides a more complete and comprehensive picture. For instance,
qualitative research design involves collecting a large amount of data on a rather small,
purposive sample. Therefore, it provides quick and rich information of a research problem on
breadth and depth. The study will use descriptive research because the objective of study
focus is on description of the lifestyle, problems and coping strategy of street children.

3.2 Target population

The target population of this study was the former street children in the rehabilitation
institutions in Eldoret Town. The researcher targeted 50 street children. A part from street
children rehabilitation institutions, children’s officers in sub-county children’s department
were also within the study area was involved. Street children eligible in the research are those
especially the ages of 10 to 17 years.

3.3 Sample and sampling procedures

A sample in research study refers to any group on which information is obtained (Frankel
and Wallen, 2000). The study targeted 25 former street children in the rehabilitation
institution. The sample size for institutions working are 5 and the will included five children
from each institution they included; Jesus Love Ministry and Rehabilitation Center, Serenity
Africa Rehabilitation Center, Haven Recovery Centre, Eldo Care Recovery Centre, and New
Life Rehabilitation And Counselling Centre. The study sampled social workers in each
organization corresponding to a total number of 5 staff. The researcher also targeted 4
members of government agencies working with street children who include the District
Children’s Officers in the above constituencies where these institutions are located.

3.3.1 Sampling procedures

Sampling procedures used in this study were simple and purposive sampling procedures.

3.3.1.2 Simple Random Sampling

Simple random sampling method is the one in which each element of the population has an
equal and independent chance of being included in the sample (Frankel & Wallen, 2000).
Simple random sampling was done when picking out children from the institution mentioned
above to participate in the research. 25 street children of ages 10-17 will be conveniently
involved under structured guided questionnaire five (5) from each institution 3 boys and 2
girls. The major inclusion criteria included: gender and age. All children meeting the
inclusion criteria were randomly recruited for the study after informed consent was given.

3.3.1.3 Purposive Sampling

Purposive sampling is a type of sampling in which the researcher chooses subjects with
specified characteristics (Kothari, 2001). This sampling involves use of own judgment or
intuition to identify a sample unit and sample out of it. Purposive sampling is preferred to
select key informants who have rich information to the central issues being studied and their
specialization on working with street children. The selected respondents for the study include:
Social Workers (5), District Children’s Officers (4). The inclusion criteria included:
knowledge and experience of respondents of dealing with Street Children at their respective
localities Data from key informants was collected through semi-structured interview and the
researcher was guided by an interview guide.

3.4 Data collection method

The researcher adopted the primary method of data collection which involved questionnaires,
key informant’s interviews. This is because they have elements of both quantitative and
qualitative approaches and are recommended in order to strengthen data collection for the
study.
3.4.1 Questionnaire

The study employed semi-structured questionnaire instruments to gather information from

street children. The method is cheaper and quicker than other methods while reaching out to a
larger sample (Bryman, 2008; Cohen, et al., 2007). The questions were developed based on
the information required to reveal the lifestyle, challenges and coping and survival tactics of
street children in Eldoret Town. The researcher administered the questionnaires using face to
face interview approach. This will assist the street children to better understand the questions
of the study.

3.4.2 Key Informant Interviews

Patton 2002 defines key informant interviews as a qualitative research technique that involves
conducting intensive individual interviews with a small number of respondents to explore
their perspectives on a particular idea, program, or situation. Interviews with children officers
and staff from Department of Social Services, allowed the researcher to collect in –depth
information on the lifestyle, challenges and the coping strategies of street children. The
researcher adopted semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions which were
employed as one of the methods for data collection to provide qualitative data which
complemented the quantitative data.

3.5 Data Analysis

Data analysis process involves several activities; data coding, entry and modification. The
study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods both of which require different
processes. Qualitative data from the semi-structured interviews was categorized into different
themes as they emerge during the field interviews as suggested by Lalani (2009) after which
thematic analysis will be done of key issues raised. For quantitative data cleaning of
generated information through coding was undertaken to identify errors, omissions and
inconsistencies which was then followed by data entry process, using the Statistical Package
for Social Scientists (SPSS). The researcher undertook a descriptive statistical analysis of the
information gathered from the respondents. Descriptive statistics allow the researcher to be
able to detect patterns and themes from data collected for inference.
 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

4.0 Introduction

This section presents the data analysis and interpretation of key variables derived from the
study. The data is presented through charts, and tables. These data were generated from the
completed questionnaires from randomly selected street children in the 5 street children
rehabilitative institutions; Slum Child Organisation Korogocho, Serenity Africa
Rehabilitation Center, Haven Recovery Centre, Eldo Care Recovery Centre and New Life
Rehabilitation And Counselling Centre Langata. Key informant interviews with 5 social
workers from the above institutions, Children Officers in the 4 constituencies namely
Dagoretti, Embakasi North, Ruaraka and Langata in Eldoret Town.

4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents

In this study, a total of 25 street children were selected randomly from 5 purposively chosen
street children rehabilitation institutions in Eldoret Town.
4.1.2 Age of respondents
With regard to age, children between the ages of 10-12 were 20%. Majority of the
respondents representing 52% were between the ages of 13-16 while those between the ages
of 17-18 were 28% as shown in Table 1 below. However, the ages were bound to be
subjective based on what they believed their ages were since the researcher had no objective
way to verify their ages.

Table 1: Age of respondents

AgAge Group Frequency Percent

10-12 5 20.0

13-16 13 52.0

17-18 7 28.0

Total 25 100.0
4.1.3 Gender of respondent

Among the participants the majority were males constituting 64% and females 36% of the
total respondents as indicated in the Table 2. This corresponds with a study conducted in
Nkemete town Ethiopia where majority of respondents were males constituting 73.3% while
females were 26.3 of the total respondents. There are more males on the street than females
because some communities are irresponsible specially to orphaned male children owing to
their traditional beliefs that every male child must be allocated land when they become
adults. Also the society has focused so much on empowering girl child such that it has
forgotten the boy child. Table 2: Gender of respondents
4.1.4 Educational level of respondents
With regard to education level those who had never gone to school represented 12%. The
highest proportion of the respondents constituting 68% said to have at least attended primary
school while 5% had gone up to secondary school as shown in Table 3. Results revealed that
there are children who come to the street by day and go home in the evening and at times
they could attend school. These are children sent to the streets by their parent to supplement
family’s income; they are commonly referred as children on the streets.

Figure 2: Respondents level of education

4.1.5 Family status of respondents
The study revealed that majority of the respondents representing 68% said to be living with
their parents while 32% of the respondents said their parents were dead and were living with
their relatives before they came to the streets. They cited mistreatment and neglect as the
main reason for being on the streets. Those with parents alive none of them said to be living
with their fathers despite them being alive all were living with their mother. The study
indicated respondents had absentee fathers.

Table 3: Family status of the respondents

Gender Frequency Percent

Female 9 36.0
Male 16 64.0
Total 25 100.0

4.2 Access to basic needs

4.2.1 Food

With regard to source of daily meal majority of the respondents 44% cited begging as the
main source of their daily meal from the passersby and motorists stuck on traffic. While 16 %
said they bought their food with the money they earned from carrying luggage for people,
cleaning business premises with county councils, washing cars and dumping wastes for
hotels, 24% got their food from restaurants\hotels leftovers. Those who ate from home
constituted 16% of the total respondents as shown in the Table 4 below. To the contrary a
study conducted in Nkemete town revealed that majority of the respondents depended on
leftovers from hotels/restaurants for their source of daily meal.
Table 4: Respondents source of daily meal

Status Frequency Percent

Yes 17 68.0
No 8 32.0
Total 25 100.0

The study revealed that 36% of the respondent ate twice a day that is morning and evening
these mostly were those children who spent their day on the streets and went home in the
evening they ate from home, 12% of the respondents ate three times a day these group
comprised those who worked on the streets. While majority of the respondents 52% ate
anytime they got food these comprised those who begged and scavenged leftovers from
 restaurant\hotels due to uncertainties surrounding their source of daily meal. This corresponds
with a study conducted by Sarsa et al (2000) in Atwasa that revealed also majority of the
respondents had their meals any time of the day.
4.2.2 Clothing

The study found out 24% of the respondents bought their clothes mostly this represented
those children working on the streets and they comprised children between the ages of 16-18.
The highest proportion of the respondents 52% said to rely on donation from well-wishers.
While 24 % of the respondents cited collecting discarded clothes. This contradicts a study
conducted in Rwanda where majority got their clothes through buying (NCC, 2012).

Table 5: Respondents source of clothing

Source of clothing Frequency Percent

Buying 6 24.0
Donation 13 52.0
Collecting discarded
6 24.0
clothes
Total 25 100.0

4.2.3 Housing condition

The result of the study indicated street children spent their day on the streets while on the
evening some went home others slept on the pavements footbridges and building under
construction. According to the study 16% of the respondents spent their nights on the
pavement which was very insecure owing cold weather season, attacks from their fellow
street children, they also came into conflict with the owners of the premises due to the
perception society has about street children. Majority of the respondents representing 48%
spent their nights at home. About 12% spent their nights on the footbridges/fly overs. While
24% of the total respondents spent nights on the buildings under construction as shown in the
Table 6 below. This study corresponds with one conducted in Dessie where majority of the
respondents reported to live either with parents, relatives or friends while a small percentage
of them slept on pavements exposed to weather of all season.
 Table 6: Respondents housing condition

Housing condition Frequency Percent

Pavements 4 16.0

Home 12 48.0

Foot bridge 3 12.0

Buildings under
6 24.0
construction

Total 25 100.0

4.3 Health problems

4.3.1 Health condition

The study examined whether street children had ever fallen sick while on the streets. Findings
indicated that a majority proportion of 72% had fallen sick while 28% had never fallen sick
while on the streets as indicated by the table below:
Table 7: Respondents health condition

Ever fallen sick Frequency Percent

Yes 18 72.0
No 7 28.0
Total 25 100.0

They identified harsh weather conditions, poor sanitary conditions, use of drugs and eating
discarded food as the main cause of their illnesses. Those affected most were between the
ages of 10-12.
4.3.2 Most recurrent disease

The most recurrent diseases were cough, stomach related complications and malaria. The
study revealed that 28% of the respondents said to have suffered from cough and flu. About
12% of the respondents claimed to have suffered skin disease. While 12% of the respondents
suffered from malaria and 20% reported stomach related diseases as indicated in the Table 8
below.
Table 8: Respondents most recurrent diseases

Recurrent disease Frequency Percent

Cough and flu 7 28.0
Skin disease 3 12.0
Malaria 3 12.0
stomach related problems 5 20.0
Total 18 72.0
Missing System 7 28.0
Total 25 100.0

4.3.3 Health service paid by

According to the findings 52% of those sick never sought medical care due to lack of
familiarity with respect to how to access health care resources, negative attitude from health
providers. About 12% of the respondents who sought medical care expenses were paid by
their parents/other family members, 20% of the respondents accessed free medical care.
While 4% said to have paid their medical bill while 12% medical expenses were paid by
friends as shown in the figure 4 below.

Figure 4: Respondents health service paid by

4.4 psychological problems

4.4.1 Type of psychological problems

The study examined some of the psychological and social problems experienced by street
children while on the streets. They cited fear, feeling unhappy and feeling unloved and
unwanted as the main psychological problems they faced. According to the study 28% of the
respondents said to experienced fear this was contributed by the hostile conditions on the
streets such as attack by gangs, mistreatment from police the business community and
society. Majority of respondents 40% felt unhappy while 32% felt unwanted and unloved due
to the way society treated them never felt cared for like other normal kids. The figure 5 below
shows these problems and their percentages

Figure 5: Respondents psychological problems

4.4.2 Coping tactics with psychological abuse
To cope with the above psychological problems majority of the respondents 48% used drugs.
They sniffed glue to forget their sorrows and for companionship. 33% of the respondents
engaged in hostile and aggressive behaviors,10% kept to themselves using isolation. while
9% of the total respondents said they cried to cope with the above psychological problems.
4.4 Abuse and coping strategies

4.4.1 Type of abuse

The study examined whether street children faced any abuse while on the streets, type of the
abuse and coping strategies. Majority of the respondents representing 72% said to have
experienced abuse while 28% never experienced abuse. Those who never experienced abuse
said gangs provided them with security and were mostly between the ages of 16-18.
According to the findings 16% of the respondents faced sexual abuse and mostly were girls
this is because of their vulnerability. Majority of the respondents representing 40% said to
have experienced physical abuse while about 16% of the respondents faced verbal abuse as
shown in the table 9 below. This corresponds with a study conducted by Ndeboc et al. 2011 in
Mauritius that revealed majority of the respondents faced physical abuse more compared to
other type of abuses

Table 9: Respondents type of abuse

Type of abuse Frequency Percent

Sexual 4 16.0
Physical 10 40.0
Verbal 4 16.0
Total 18 72.0
Missing System7 28.0
Total 25 100.0

4.4.2 Coping strategy with abuse

To cope with above abuse problems the highest proportion representing 40% of the
respondents used drugs. About 16% of the respondents became violent while 16% walked
away pretending nothing happened as shown in the Figure 7 below.
Figure 7: Respondents coping tactics with abuse

4.5 Water and sanitation

4.5.1 Source of drinking water

According to the findings majority of the respondents constituting 52% used community tap
as their main source of drinking water because of its cleanliness compared to water from the
river. However, community tapped water had limitation owing to scarcity of water and when
taps were opened this made 20% of the respondents to access water from the river while 28%
bought from the vendors these were mostly those engaged in income generating activities.
Findings also revealed that street children get drinking water from different source which
means they use a combination of coping mechanisms for instance most of them beg water
with their plastic bottle either from residents of the city or cafes and restaurants.

Table 10: Respondents source of drinking water

Source of drinking water Frequency Percent

Community tapped water 13 52.0
Buying from vendors 7 28.0
River 5 20.0
Total 25 100.0
The study also assessed places where they took bath; majority cited to shower at home 48%,
40% bathed at the rivers while 12% never bathed at all.

4.5.2 How often street children took a shower

According to the study 12% of the respondents bathed daily these were mostly those children
who went home in the evening. The highest proportion of respondents 40% bathed once a
week while 36% bathed twice a week. The study revealed that street children who stayed day
and night on the streets took long to shower than those who came to the streets during the
day. Also females showered more often than males.

Figure 8:How often did street children took bath

4.5.3 Type of toilet
With regard to the type of toilet majority of respondents that is 68% said to have used public
toilet while 32% used open filed/bush for the call of nature as shown in the Figure 7 below.
Figure 9: Respondents type of toilet

4.6 Major challenges faced by street children in Eldoret Town according to social
workers and children’s officers.

Interview with children’s officers and social workers revealed street children faced a wide
range of challenges on the streets. Most of them are abused, neglected, exposed to criminal
and gang activities, suffer loneliness and fear, starvation, suffer poor health due to their
lifestyle and exposure to harsh environment to HIV&AIDS infections. They said girls are at
risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases because of engaging in prostitution and
vulnerability to rape. The study revealed the rape cases are more in girls than boys. Also
substance use and abuse such miraa, cigarette, alcohol, shisha, drug, and glue is a challenge.
Sometimes addiction to these substances could make to return to the streets because
overcoming the addiction prove to be a problem even after being rehabilitated.

They cited poverty; conflict for instance in 2007 during the post-election violence families
were displaced, loss of family members leaving children with nobody to look after them,
destruction of property leaving families poor; family breakdown; urbanization and
overcrowding; abuse (physical, sexual, verbal); impact of HIV&AIDS as the reason for influx
of street children in Kenya. They said to have worked in their organization from a period of
3-8 years which meant they were well versed with the problem of street children.
4.7 Survival and coping tactics employed by street children

To survive on the streets, they engage in a number of activities. According to the study these
activities are pickpocketing, scavenging, use of drugs, begging, prostitution, engaging in
hostile and aggressive behaviours, living in gangs, some engage in income generating
activities such collecting and selling scrap metal and plastics, carrying luggage, washing cars,
carrying water and cleaning business premises, hawking and gambling. “In absence of adult
care and guidance they are forced to assume adult responsibilities and take care of
themselves”, a social worker Cottolengo Centre said. Children’s officer from Embakasi North
said most of them will admit that they have felt the lack of an adult model and their
aggression and gang style are born out of the necessity to cope.

Interviews with children’s officers and social workers revealed society has a negative
perception towards street children. They are unfairly blamed by members of public for theft,
robbery and are often mistreated. A social worker from Slum Child Organization in
Korogocho revealed that public attitudes and perceptions largely determine how and to what
extent a society deal with street children. He revealed that the problem of street children is
not solely a responsibility of parents but society at large.

4.8 Street children interventions and Services in Eldoret Town.

The study sought to establish interventions and services provided to street children by the
institutions key informants worked and whether children were aware of them. Knowledge of
the services would influence the decision of street children to seek or utilize such services.
some of the services they offered to streets children include alternative family care this
mainly deal with facilitation and provision for children in need of special care and protection,
adoption, foster care and guardianship, education and skills development. The study also
revealed they rescued, rehabilitated and reintegrated street children with their families. Street
children rehabilitation institution also provided medical services, family counseling and
empowerment and advocacy.

4.9 What should be done to address the problem of street children in Kenya?

To address the problem of street children key informants came up with a number of ideas
which they deemed necessary as solutions to the menace of street children they include:
government working with other stakeholders to come up with sustainable and workable ways
of setting foster homes where these children can be provided with an environment worth
calling a home. Another strategy was government coming up with ways where children on
the streets can be traced to their families. Government should also address the issue of
poverty. One of the major causes of streetism is poverty, this can be tackled by providing
employment, reducing illiteracy and ignorance. Also families can be taught the benefits of
family planning. Drastic measures can be taken against perpetrators of child abuse.
 CHAPTER FIVE: RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER
STUDIES

5.1 Conclusions

The study was conducted with the objective of assessing the problem and coping tactics of
street children in Eldoret Town. The conclusion is drawn from analysis of the questionnaires
and in depth key informant interview finding in relation to the existing literature in the area of
the study. The number of street children in Nairobi is increasing at an alarming rate which
means something needs to be done to address the problem. However, the exact figure is yet to
be known. Majority of street children in Eldoret Town are males and are from Central
province. A big number of street children 68 % have at least attended primary school and
20% secondary school. The problem of getting predictable source of food continues to be the
problem of street children. This problem is severe among younger and female street children.
Majority ate any time food was available. The problem of housing and safer sleeping place
remains challenge for a number of street children, particularly younger and female street
children. Most of them sleep in places like pavements, building under construction and fly
overs.

The majority of street children have suffered from health problems. In addition, street
children who are sleeping on the street were more vulnerable to health problem than those
who sleep at home. In addition, street children are suffering from psychological problems
from challenging nature of street life. Street children use different coping strategies to deal
with psychological problems such as crying, use of drugs, isolation, engaging in hostile and
aggressive behavior. Street children are victim of sexual, verbal and physical abuse. Study
indicated that not only females suffered from sexual abuse but also males indicating that there
might be homosexual practice among male street children. Street children use moving and
sleeping in group for security. The problem of drinking water and sanitation are among the
main problems for street children. Some of health problems are as a result to poor sanitary
conditions. According to interview with key informants most street children use addictive
substances like miraa, cigarette, alcohol, shisha, drug, and glue. They use these substances as
a coping and survival tactic and for pleasure to forget their sorrows.
5.2 Recommendations

Based on the study following recommendations were proposed to the stakeholders;

government, the community, NGOs, families.
To the government
i. The study suggests that the Government and other stakeholders should conduct
community awareness creation and sensitization on the challenges facing street
children at the community level and design strategies aimed at reducing increasing
number of street children in Eldoret Town and Kenya at large.

ii. The study recommends that a sector-wide training approach for service providers
involved in dealing with street children at all levels be developed, by the Government
in collaboration with stakeholders to provide standard and holistic services to street
children in the country.

iii. The Government agencies and stakeholders providing services to street children
should allocate adequate resources and continuously build the capacity of staff dealing
with street children hence improve service to these children.

To the family

i. Parents should use family planning to give birth to another of children they can
manage to avoid increase in population which in turn can be a challenge to
government planning.

ii. Families should adopt proper parenting skills. Practicing proper disciplinary
measures, not all problems can be solved with heavy punishment.

iii. Also, effective socialization can reduce rapid increase of street children.
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 APPENDICES

Appendix I: Questionnaire

Dear Respondent,

My name is Leyla, a student at Eldoret National Polytechnic. I am conducting a research on

challenges of street children and their coping and survival tactics in Eldoret Town as part of
fulfillment for the diploma programme in Social work. The information collected from you is
only for academic purposes and will therefore not be used for any other purposes. Therefore,
you are kindly requested to participate in this research by answering all the questions
contained in this questionnaire as per instructions given.

SECTION A

1. Socio-demographic characteristics

Age ------------------

Place of birth ------------------

Education level a. Primary ( ) b. Secondary ( )

Are your parents alive? a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )

SECTION B

2 Lack of basic needs Sex

1. What was the main source of your daily meal?

a. Begging ( ) b. Buying ( ) c. Leftover from restaurants/hotels ( ) d. From home ( )

2. How many times did you eat in a day?

a. Once a day ( ) b. Twice a day c. Three times a day ( ) d. Any time I get food ( )

3. Where did you get your clothes from?

a. Buying ( ) b. Getting clothes as generous donations ( ) c. Collecting discarded clothes ( )

4. Where did spend your nights?

a. Pavement ( ) b. home ( ) c. Foot bridges ( ) d. Buildings under construction ( )

3. Health condition of street children

5. Did you ever fall sick while on the streets? a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )

6. If yes did you access any health facility? a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )

7. Which of these health facilities did you access?

a. Government hospital ( ) c. Private clinic ( ) d. NGO clinic ( )

8. Who paid for your health service?

a. Parents/Other family members ( ) b. Free medical service ( ) c. Myself ( ) d. friends ( )

9. What was the most recurrent disease on you? ------------------------------

4. Psychological and Social problem

10. Which of the following psychological problems did you suffer from?

a. Fear ( ) b. Feeling unhappy ( ) c. Feeling inferior ( ) d. Feeling unwanted and unloved ( )

11. What did you do to cope with the problem?

a. Used drugs ( ) b. Engaged in aggressive and hostile behaviors ( ) c. Isolation ( )

d. Crying ( )

5. Abuse (sexual, physical and verbal) and violence

12. Did you experience any type of abuse?

a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
13. If yes, specify the type of abuse (can provide more than one answer if applicable)

a. Sexual ( ) b. Physical ( ) c. Verbal ( )

14. How did you cope with the problem of being abused?

a. Become violent also ( ) b. use of drugs ( ) c. Walking away pretending it never happened

6. Water and sanitation problem

15. What was the main sources of drinking water?

a. Community tap ( ) b. Buying from Vendors ( ) c. River ( )
16. Where did you wash your body?

a. At home ( ) b. River ( ).
17. How often did you take a bath?

a. Daily ( ) b. Once a week ( ) c. Twice a week ( ) d. Never ( )

18. What kind of toilet do you currently use?

a. Public toilet ( ) b. Open field and bush ( ).

THANK YOU