Rights groups are calling for stronger protection for street families and proper investigations into the recent deaths of at least 15 street-connected children and youth in Nairobi.
The concerns were raised by the Undugu Society of Kenya during a press conference held on January 1, 2026, led by Executive Director Eric Mukoya and Programme Manager Donnah Okumu.Undugu Society of Kenya is a non-profit organisation that works with street-connected communities by supporting skills training, small businesses, and recovery from drug and substance abuse.
The organisation said it is deeply worried by what it described as a complete lack of accountability from state agencies over the deaths reported in the past month.
The issue gained national attention after nine street-connected people were buried last Friday at Lang’ata Cemetery, alongside several unidentified street dwellers.
Police said some of the bodies had been picked from streets and alleys around Nairobi over the past month and taken to the Nairobi Funeral Home, formerly City Mortuary.
Postmortem reports showed causes of death such as pneumonia, starvation, injuries, mob justice, and in some cases drowning.
While acknowledging the government’s move to waive hospital, mortuary, and burial fees and to offer financial help to affected families, Undugu said these steps were not enough.
The organisation described them as quick responses that do not address the deeper problems that expose street-connected children and youth to danger.
According to Eric Mukoya, the deaths reveal the harsh reality of life on the streets and the failure of state institutions to meet their constitutional duty to protect children and young people.
He said government agencies are required to provide social services fairly to all people living in Kenya.
Undugu explained that many street-connected individuals live in extreme conditions marked by fear, hunger, and regular harassment. They often lack basic services, especially those that require legal documents like birth certificates or national IDs.
This leaves them exposed to discrimination, exclusion, and poverty.
The organisation sent condolences to the families affected by the deaths and urged the government to carry out full investigations and make the findings public. It also called for urgent programmes to help street-connected people obtain legal documents, improved personal security, and accountability from agencies responsible for addressing homelessness.
In addition, Undugu called for reforms in the criminal justice system to reduce abuse linked to minor offences, a review of housing policies, and a shift toward treating homelessness as a rights issue.
The organisation said it remains ready to work with both government and non-government actors, stressing that justice for street-connected children and youth should not be delayed or replaced with charity.
