At Least 20,000 Kenyans Are Homeless, Census 2019 Report

Kenyans who live and sleep on the streets are 20,095 according to the Census 2019 data.

The Census 2019 data revealed that urban areas have the highest number of people living on the streets as compared to rural areas.

Urban areas were found to constitute 14,581 homeless people while the rural areas had a total of 5,520.

Out of the 20,095 homeless people, 17,747 are boys and men while 2,348 are girls and women. The rural areas only have 841 homeless women compared to 1,507 homeless men.

In urban areas, Nairobi leads with the highest number of street dwellers. The number of homeless in Nairobi stands at 6,743 where only 649 are women.

Mombasa and Meru come second and third with 1,809 and 734 people living on the streets respectively. Interestingly, Meru is ranked higher coming before counties like Kisumu and Nakuru.

Uasin Gishu County, Kajiado, Nakuru and Kiambu all tied at number four with each having 600 people living on the streets.

Bomet, Kericho, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo emerged as counties with the least number of street people. Bomet record only six people, Kericho-five, Baringo-two, and Elgeyo had only one woman living on the streets.

Meanwhile, street families continue to exist due to a couple of reasons. Most of the people in the streets are orphans who have nowhere to go. But some are just school dropouts who are chased away from home.

Some have genuine reasons as they do not have any members of their family, some have intolerable situations at home and many others but living on the streets is always the last option. The streets are full of challenges like cold, hunger and they are also prone to disease.

We have street children who can go to school and make their lives better since there is free education. Unfortunately, Kenyan schools will not accommodate you if you are vulnerable or do not have someone to ‘hold your hands’.

From my point of view, 20,095 is a very small and manageable number especially if the burden is lowered to the county levels. Counties like Elgeyo Marakwet will not even break a sweat.

READ: Ruiru Town Has More People Than Kisumu City – KNBS