CONTRIBUTION OF SELECTED FAMILY FACTORS TO THE INFLUX OF STREET CHILDREN IN NAKURU MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

An unprecedented rise in the number of street children in the last decade has raised concern in Kenya. Numerous and complex socio-economic factors have been attributed to the rising presence of children on the streets. Therefore, this study purposed to investigate the contribution of selected family factors on the influx of street children in Kenyan towns with special reference to Nakuru Municipality which has a population of about 3,800 street children with 800 of these in rehabilitation centers. This was a descriptive survey that used an ex post facto design. Nakuru Municipality has eight active rehabilitation centers for street children. Five rehabilitation centers were randomly sampled to provide a sample of 100 street children and 5 managers. Self- response questionnaires and an interview schedule were used to collect the required data. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the raw data. The main factors within the family such as family type, inability of parents to provide for their children, child abuse, parent’s drunkenness and poor parent- child relationship, have contributed a lot to the street children phenomenon. Family counseling can be used to assist the families of street children.