FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE INCREASE OF STREET CHILDREN POPULATION IN KENYA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The quest for the study was to examine factors influencing increasing number of street children in Molo town, Nakuru County. The study was guided by four objectives. These objectives are; to identify the influence of social factors on the growth of street children in molo town; to establish the economic factors leading to the growth of street children in molo town; to examine the political factors influencing growth of street children in molo town and to find out how cultural factors influence the growth of street children in molo town. The study was guided by Conflict theory coined by Ritzer. Relevant literature review revealed that there are several factors that contribute to the increase of street children in molo town. The study was mainly qualitative. It employed descriptive research design; preferred because it allowed the researcher to conduct in-depth interviews and observation schedules to gather both factual information systematically and also record the characteristics of interest as they occurred. The secondary target population was 150 children. Four children’s homes and rehabilitation center were purposively sampled to participate in the study. They are; Molo street children project, Chazon rescue Centre, KAG children’s home and Talents children’s home. Stratified random sampling and simple random sampling methods were used to determine respondents. Data was collected through open and closed questionnaires. The categories of respondents were the street children, children in the rehabilitation center and, social workers and administrators from the four centers. The study revealed that there are many socio-economic factors contributing to the increase of street children in molo town, ranging from poverty, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, conflicts, family break-up child abuse and inadequate will from the government towards supporting poor families. The study concluded by the summary from the different objectives’ findings and made recommendations to various and relevant stakeholder