Factors Contributing To Presence Of Street Children In Narok County:A Case Of Narok Town

Abstract

The research project is entitled as “factors that contributing to the presence of street children in urban centers in Kenya” the research was carried in Narok town. It consists of the background of the study which clearly shows that street children are found primarily in urban areas without adult supervision or care. The statement of the problem indicates that street children are exposed to a wide range of risks affecting their physical and psychological health and personal safety. And the objective of the study both general and specific was to find out the factors contributing to presence of street children in urban centers. By finding out how family background contribute to presence of street children in urban centers, establish the extent to which peer influence contribute to presence of street childen in urban centers, and determine how economic status contribute to presence of street children in urban centers. Street children were defining as young boys and girls who dwell on the street with the purpose of making living them and their families. In Nairobi Kenya, the familiar name in particular is parking boys and parking girls or (chokora).it clearly shows that most of the street children have single parent. The variables under the study were economic factor, peer influence, family background. Research methodology indicates the method which had been used in carrying out the research project; the research was carried out in Narok town, Narok County. The researcher adopted descriptive design in the collection of data. The researcher used interview schedules ,questionnaires which were both open and closed ended questions and finally the data analysis which used tables, graphs, charts and descriptive. The finding shows that two types of street children were the majority. Those who work in the street but regularly go back to their homes and those who reside in the street after running away from their families. The finding of the study also indicate that most of the parent of the street childern are self- employed as street hawkers, for them to support their living.Others were employed they get 7 thousend by month compare to the number of members in the family. while the third category do not have jobs. The researcher concluded that the Programmes to address street children problems exist, and most of them are run by NGOs. The majority of these programmes are remedial and hence supportive. There are few preventive programmes and they too tend to be supportive rather than developmental.