This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
Emali township, a bustling stopover on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, is home to a surprising phenomenon: street children who use courtesy to charm drivers and get money.
Victoria Chelangat, a medic from Nairobi, recently experienced this firsthand. As she was putting away her groceries, a young boy approached her car and asked for money. But instead of being aggressive, he said 'Asante. Uwe na safari njema' (Thanks, have a safe journey). Chelangat was taken aback by the boy's politeness and handed him a few coins.
Her experience is not unique. Many motorists who shop in Emali have reported being approached by street children who use courtesy to get money. But behind this charming facade lies a harsh reality: poverty, peer pressure, and lack of parental care.
According to a 2018 survey by the Department of Children's Services, there are between 200 and 400 street children in Makueni County, with over 150 of them roaming the streets of Emali. Interviews with some of the children revealed that many are truants from local schools, while others have come from distant cities like Nairobi and Mombasa to eke out a living.
Some of the children are talented dancers and musicians, but their lives are marked by poverty and lack of parental care. 'I found solace on the street after my parents started neglecting me following their separation,' said an eight-year-old boy.
The authorities and local business community have complained that the number of street children in Emali has been rising. 'Shoppers who are initially hesitant to engage the children suddenly get interested in them because of their courtesy. They briefly tell the motorists about their backgrounds, and soon get money,' said Mr. Reuben Mutua, the chairman of the Emali business community.
However, not everyone is sympathetic to the children's plight. Some motorists have reported feeling guilty after being approached by the children, and have vowed not to stop at the market again until the children are removed from the streets.
