Nakuru county is on the spot after its enforcement officers allegedly dumped 41 street children in Chemusus Forest in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County on Wednesday night.
Reports indicate that the officers rounded the street urchins aged between 12 and 26 and promised to take them to school before bundling them into waiting vehicles.
According to one of the street urchins, Jackson Kuka, aged 26, he was surprised to end up in a forest after the officers assured them that the younger ones would be taken to primary schools and the older ones to colleges. Furthermore, he claimed that those who refused to board the lorries were forced in and handcuffed before being taken to the forest 75 kilometers away.
Fred Etibobu, a cart-puller in the town, and a father of two revealed that the officers tricked him into getting into a car where he found fellow cart pullers. “I was shocked to see the vehicle heading out of town. We have done nothing wrong. Why is the county government treating us this way? They left us in the middle of nowhere,” Etibotu lamented.
Lembus MCA Ben Koech condemned the act, stating that the forceful transfer of people was illegal. He called for action to be taken against responsible officials.
Eldama Ravine sub-county Children’s Officer Kuria Muthandi noted that ferrying and dumping the kids in the forest was not the best way to solve the street families’ problem.
Nakuru County Senator Susan Kihika also condemned the act stating that the officers’ action was barbaric, heartless, inhumane and should never happen in a civilized society.
Furthermore, she challenged Nakuru Governor, Lee Kinyanjui, to come clean on the matter and act against those responsible for the atrocities.
source:Â https://www.kenyans.co.ke
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