Street families in Lodwar bear brunt of Covid-19
Homeless boys and girls in Lodwar, Turkana.
What you need to know:
- Officers enforcing the curfew directive kicked them out of the streets where they used to spend their nights.
- Some street families, who were living in unoccupied stalls at the Lodwar Market, were forced out to create more space for the traders to observe physical distancing when working.
Street families in Lodwar town, Turkana are bearing the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic because of the directives issued by the government to prevent the spread of the disease.
Officers enforcing the curfew directive kicked them out of the streets where they used to spend their nights.
Some street families, who were living in unoccupied stalls at the Lodwar Market, were forced out to create more space for the traders to observe physical distancing when working.
One of the affected homeless people told the Nation that she was forced to join hands with her friend who is pregnant to rent a shanty.
"We were allowed to stay in the house because we are both pregnant. We are hoping to find menial jobs and save money for our rent which is Sh1,000 every month," the lady said.
The ladies said, before they pandemic they used to do cleaning jobs at a hotel in the town but it was closed.
For 17-year-old Susan (not her real name) surviving in the streets has not been easy. She said she had to get ‘married’ to one of the street boys to avoid being sexually abused in the streets.
"I had to choose one boy who everyone should knew was mine,” she said.
Susan, who has a one-year-old baby said she was soon left to fend for her girl alone because her man was arrested after he was suspected of breaking into a shop in Lodwar town.
“My girl and I are surviving at the mercies of God,” she said.
Recently, the more than 300 street children benefited from free face masks and food from Restoration, Relief and Development Agency in collaboration with Emmanuel TV partners.
One of the well-wishers Lillian Njoki, who also talked to the girls, said sexual abuse is rampant in the streets.
"Girls who take alcohol and sniff glue are mostly at risk of being sexually exploited. The street children just need love and counselling to change." Ms Njoki said.
Another well-wisher Christine Lare appealed for more support for the street families in form of clothing and food.
"Street children should be included in all relief food support programmes to tackle high levels of vulnerability they are subjected to," Ms Lare said.
