Senator Okenyuri calls for action on safe shelters for homeless children and vulnerable mothers

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎2𝟓

Sen. Esther Okenyuri (Nominated) has sought a Statement from the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare concerning the establishment of shelters and safe spaces for homeless children and vulnerable mothers across major cities and urban centres in Kenya.

In her request, Senator Okenyuri urged the Committee to provide clarity on whether the National Government, in collaboration with County Governments, has established well equipped shelters to offer temporary and transitional housing for affected groups.

She further pressed the Committee to report on whether the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, together with relevant stakeholders, has developed and implemented a comprehensive national policy framework for the rehabilitation, reintegration and empowerment of homeless children and vulnerable mothers.

Senator Okenyuri also wants the Committee to examine whether County Governments, through their social welfare and child protection departments, have identified and provided rescue and holistic support services including counselling, education, vocational training and healthcare to street children and vulnerable mothers.

The Lawmaker called for an evaluation of the adequacy of budgetary allocations for the construction, staffing and maintenance of shelters, stressing the importance of sustainability and efficiency in service delivery.

Furthermore, she emphasized the need for a robust multi agency approach to enhance collaboration among government bodies, civil society organizations and development partners. The goal, she noted, should be to address the root causes of homelessness and to facilitate the social and economic reintegration of those at-risk populations.