The move by the county government of Nakuru to evict street families from Lions garden to pave way for the renovation of the facility has raised mixed reactions among locals.

Some residents feel the move was uncalled for as the street families have now been rendered more vulnerable.

Mtaa Wangu has established that the street children were ordered to vacate Lions Garden some few days ago.

Read: Street Families Displaced After Matatus Re-Enter CBD

They were then dumped at the Nakuru Railway ground next to the Police Station.

Sources have it that the move saw one senior officer from Railways contact the County Government of Nakuru enforcement officer John Kihara over the dumping of the street urchins on their land without official communication.

However, when Mtaa Wangu contacted Mr. Kihara, he was very brief in his sentiments refusing to shed light on the matter.

According to him, the street families were only removed from the Lions garden to allow renovation which will include installation of security lights, cameras and concrete seats.

He referred us to the Department of Environment which is carrying out the exercise.

"The work is being done by Department of Environment. As Enforcement we might not have much to say," stated Kihara.

A view of Lions Garden. Street families have moved to this park after being displaced by matatus in the CBD

Photo credit: FILE

We sought the audience of Nakuru County Chief Officer for Environment Mr. Ken Mungai over the matter.

Through a phone interview with Mtaa Wangu, Mungai confirmed that indeed the street families were evacuated from Lions garden as the facility is undergoing renovation to fit the required standards.

Also Read: Mama Street Kids: Lady Who Brings Homecooked Food to Street Children at Lions Garden

According to him, the garden has been neglected for long adding that besides the street families, criminals too had invaded the park.

The Chief Officer noted that proper public participation was conducted involving stakeholders among them the Matatu Associations, Hawkers, Shoe shiners as well as leadership of the street families.

Nakuru county Environment Chief Officer Ken Mungai during an interview.

Photo credit: FILE

The process of evicting everyone from the garden accordingly came after the lapse of the 14- day notice that was issued and expired on September 1, 2023.

"Let me make it clear that after several engagements, the street families were removed from the garden not by enforcement officers but by the street families’ leadership, hence no need for public uproar," said Mungai.

The Chief officer also confirmed that the street families were first taken to mashambani stage but later taken to Railways Police station area.

This, even as he notes that the county government of Nakuru through the Department of social services is working on a long term solution to address the street families menace among them rehabilitation and restoration back to their homes.

Related: From a Chokoraa Den to a Spectacular Garden

It should be noted that the issue of street families is not new to Nakuru residents as it will be recalled during Governor Lee Kinyanjui's regime the matter also came up with reports that some of the street families were roughed up and dumped in a forest in Baringo county.

pmambili@gmail.com

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Pristone Mambili