Four children abandoned for a week in Mukuru slums

Four children of ages between 1 and 8 years have been abandoned in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums, Nairobi County.

According to neighbours, their mother who is fairly new in the area left over the weekend never to be seen.

The 4 kids have been living alone for almost a week now, after their mother abandoned them without notice.

“Alitoka Saturday akasema anaenda town, hata hakuacha chakula ya mtoto,” said one of the children.

Sarah Gesare, a business lady in the area, stated; “Nimekuwa nikiwaona hawa watoto hapa karibu na mlango, nikiwaangalia ile stress yenye wako nayo naona ni njaa. Nimekuwa nikiwanunulia kitu lakini sikujua mama yao hayuko, nilifikiria maybe ameenda kazi anakuja late kuwapikia.”

This is however not the first time the children were left alone, apparently. Some neighbours have stepped in to support them with food and other needs. Residents blame the escape of their mother on the rising cost of living.

Samwel Onyiego,a village elder, said: “Inaonekana huyu mama amelemewa na maisha akahama akaacha watoto, naomba Mungu amefanya vizuri, wengine wanaua watoto na wanaenda.”

Erick Ambuche, founder, Slum Outreach Programme, stated: “What I can urge the government is to identify those who are vulnerable the way they did during COVID and give them something like cash transfers.”