Determinants of Sustainability of Government Funded Street Children Rehabilitation Programs in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Street children are a common phenomenon in urban settlements. 25% of the 100 million children globally living in urban settlements live as street as children. Kenya is estimated to have 250,000 to 300,000 street children. 40% are living in the streets of Nairobi and this number is expected to rise exponentially with increase in unemployment rate, early mortality rate caused by HIV/AIDS and high divorce rate which subsequently leaves young children vulnerable to abuse and neglect. The Government of Kenya through various child protection services and programs has made huge strides to curb the rise and infiltration of street children in urban centers. It has created rehabilitation centers, schools and children homes. Street children are placed in these facilities for the purposes of rehabilitation, education, and training on vocational skills to equip them with right skills for potential employment opportunities and sustenance. However, there have been challenges in implementation and sustainability of the government funded street children rehabilitation programs which have led to relapse of street children back to the streets. Some of these challenges include lack of schooling equipment, lack of enough food in the rehabilitation projects and centers, mistreatment and unprofessionalism in handling street children. This study investigated the determinants of sustainability of government funded street children programs in Nairobi County. The study sought to examine how financial resource, stakeholder involvement, capacity development and management styles determined sustainability of government funded street children rehabilitation programs in Nairobi County. Descriptive survey design was used in the study. The target population was 140 staff working in government rehabilitation centers in Nairobi County. A census approach was employed because the target population was small hence the need to reduce errors and provide as detailed information as possible. There was use of Statistical package for social sciences to analyze both descriptive and inferential data. Frequencies, analysis of variances, regression, and correlation were used to interpret the data. Findings revealed that there was an association between financial resource, stakeholder involvement, capacity development and management styles and sustainability of government funded street children rehabilitation programs. It was found that there was inadequate funding with late disbursement of funds, consultative meetings were inadequate, trainings were not frequent and preference of bottoms up approach style of management. Based on the findings, the study recommended allocation of more funds to government funded street children rehabilitation programs, increased consultative meetings, frequent trainings, with encouragement for staff to mobilize for resources and an open channel for communication. This would improve sustainability of government funded street children rehabilitation programs. The research project will benefit government and policy makers, program managers in street rehabilitation programs, street children, the community and other researchers.