In the heart of Nakuru, the Street Children’s Assistance Network of Nakuru (SCANN) has long stood as a beacon of hope for homeless children, providing them with shelter, education, and a chance at a brighter future.
However, a recent government proposal to shut down all children’s homes has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the organisation’s efforts and the lives of the children they support.
Founded with a mission to address the issue of street children in Nakuru, SCANN has been instrumental in transforming lives. The organisation offers a comprehensive support system that includes education, healthcare, and emotional support, helping children reintegrate into society.
Chairperson Mr. Shamsher Gilani emphasises the profound impact SCANN has had on the community. “We are not just providing shelter; we are building futures. These children need a stable environment to grow and thrive, and that’s what SCANN has been committed to providing.”
Treasurer and trustee Mrs. Avani Gilani highlights the organisation’s careful financial management, which has ensured sustainability over the years. “Our donors trust us because we are transparent and accountable. Every contribution goes directly towards improving the lives of these children. This proposed shutdown is a severe blow to the trust and support we’ve built.”
Ms. Judy Maingi, secretary and trustee, discusses the operational challenges that SCANN might face if the government proceeds with its plan. “Our operations are deeply rooted in providing a structured and nurturing environment. Without a centralised home, these children are at risk of falling back into the very cycles of poverty and neglect we’ve worked so hard to break.”
Mr. Rajinder Puri, also a trustee, underscores the importance of community trust in SCANN’s operations. “We have built a strong relationship with the community. Parents and guardians trust us to care for their children. The sudden closure of our facility would not only disrupt our operations but also erode this trust.”
The proposal to shut down children’s homes is part of a broader government initiative to deinstitutionalize child care, favouring family-based care and foster homes. The new directive envisages a situation where the community adopts the children.
Hence reinstating the long-held African tradition where no child was referred to as an orphan since the extended family took care after the death of parents or sickness. While the intentions behind this policy may be well-meaning, the immediate consequences for organisations like SCANN and the children they serve are alarming.
Mr. Shamsher Gilani expresses a need for dialogue and collaboration with the government. “We understand the government’s perspective, but there must be a transitional plan that safeguards the welfare of the children. Abrupt closures without viable alternatives will leave many vulnerable children with nowhere to go.
We have a number of children’s homes in the country, and the closure will be more harm than good since there is going to be an alarming rate of street children who have nowhere to go.’’ He further explains.
The Kenyan government’s proposal to shut down children’s homes is rooted in a broader initiative to reform child care systems in the country. The primary aim is to shift from institutional care to family-based care, which is believed to provide a more nurturing and stable environment for children.
Research has shown that children thrive better in family settings, where they can receive individualised attention and emotional support, compared to institutional environments that may lack these personalised elements. And, in some unfortunate incidents, some unscrupulous and immoral people have used such homes as ‘holding grounds for selling children on a willing-seller-buyer basis.’
A case in point is the dodgy and dishonest aunty who collaborated with a children’s home and sold her sister’s child to a Swedish couple while she was in prison for three million. The case garnered international attention and ended up in the high court.
Additionally, the government is concerned about the potential for neglect and abuse in some under-regulated children’s homes. By promoting adoption, foster care, and kinship care, the government hopes to ensure that all children grow up in safe, loving, and supportive families.
This policy shift also aligns with global trends and recommendations from child welfare organisations advocating for deinstitutionalization as a means to improve overall child welfare outcomes.
Ms. Rose Kerubo, an activist for children’s rights, suggests that the government needs to find a better alternative. “Instead of an outright shutdown of all children’s homes, the government could have pursued a more balanced and pragmatic approach by implementing a robust regulatory framework. This could involve registering all children’s homes under government oversight and ensuring that each facility meets stringent safety and care standards.
Regular inspections and assessments would help identify and close down only those private homes that are found to be unsafe or below standard, thus protecting vulnerable children from potential harm.
Simultaneously, she noted, “the government could work to integrate and streamline the operations of well-functioning homes, consolidating resources and improving the quality of care across fewer but more effective institutions. This strategy would maintain critical support systems for children who have no immediate family alternatives while also gradually encouraging the development of family-based care solutions.
By combining regulatory oversight with targeted closures and improvements, the government can enhance child welfare without causing the abrupt displacement and disruption of lives that a total shutdown would entail, “she opined.
As SCANN navigates this challenging landscape, they call on the public and stakeholders to support their mission. Mrs. Avani Gilani urges: “We need the community’s voice to advocate for a phased approach. The welfare of the children should be the priority in any policy change.” Adding, “SCANN remains steadfast in its commitment to the street children of Nakuru, even as they face the uncertainty brought about by the government’s proposal.”
The organisation’s leaders are hopeful that, through dialogue and community support, a solution can be found that continues to protect and nurture the vulnerable children who depend on them.
However, since the Renaissance and the industrial revolution that contributed to the abandonment of children, several psychologists, sociologists, and renowned writers such as Charles Dickens have explained and captured in their writings the effects of children’s homes that tend to treat them as commodities of charity, hence dehumanising them.
By Veronica Bosibori and Daisy Moraa
