This archive report was first published on 21 August 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread, street families in Lodwar, Turkana, are facing unprecedented challenges due to government directives aimed at preventing the disease's spread.
According to reports, officers enforcing the curfew directive have been kicking street families out of the streets where they used to spend their nights, leaving them with limited options for shelter and safety.
Some street families, who were living in unoccupied stalls at the Lodwar Market, were forced out to create more space for traders to observe physical distancing when working.
One of the affected homeless individuals, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her story with the Nation, stating that she and her pregnant friend were forced to rent a shanty to avoid being kicked out.
"We were allowed to stay in the house because we are both pregnant. We are hoping to find menial jobs and save money for our rent, which is Sh1,000 every month," she said.
Before the pandemic, the women used to do cleaning jobs at a hotel in the town, but it was closed due to the lockdown.
For 17-year-old Susan, surviving in the streets has not been easy. She claimed to have gotten 'married' to one of the street boys to avoid being sexually abused in the streets.
"I had to choose one boy who everyone should know was mine," she said.
However, Susan's situation took a turn for the worse when her partner was arrested for suspected theft, leaving her to fend for her one-year-old baby alone.
"My girl and I are surviving at the mercy of God," she said.
Recently, over 300 street children in Lodwar benefited from free face masks and food, courtesy of the Restoration, Relief and Development Agency in collaboration with Emmanuel TV partners.
Well-wishers, including Lillian Njoki and Christine Lare, have appealed for more support for the street families, emphasizing the need for clothing, food, and counseling to address the high levels of vulnerability they face.
