Hawking for survival: The struggles of Migori’s young street vendors

As evening falls, the streets of Migori town come alive with a flurry of activity. The heavy traffic jams create a golden opportunity for businesses to thrive, as motorists roll down their windows to purchase items from street hawkers. Amid the chaos, a glance reveals numerous children, clearly of school-going age, weaving through the crowd, hawking a variety of goods ranging from consumables to non-consumables.

From late afternoon until darkness descends, these minors crisscross the bustling streets of Migori, their voices rising above the din as they promote their wares. Among the items they sell are maize and non-wooden bags, commonly known as "Uhuru bags." This rigorous routine begins around 4 pm and typically winds down by 8 pm.

When I inquired about the troubling trend of minors engaging in business instead of attending school or doing homework, I was informed that many of these children have the full support of their parents. Shockingly, I also learned that these young hawkers, whose very presence on the streets is illegal due to their age, are sometimes involved in even more illicit activities, including robbery.

"Most of them have the blessings of their parents," said a woman selling in the market. "We've had cases where some have been caught conning and robbing people of their phones," she added.

"Initially, the numbers were low, but they've skyrocketed. The town leadership needs to take serious action," stated John, another trader in Migori.

I couldn't help but wonder: Why would these young souls choose to hustle in the streets instead of pursuing a better future through education?

Further investigation revealed that factors such as high dependency ratios, poverty, and a surge in the number of orphans are driving these children to the streets. Some of these children live with elderly grandparents, and the dire familial situation forces them to take on the role of breadwinners at a tender age.

"Most of them are out here because it's the only way they can survive. Poverty pushes them to make ends meet," explained Mary, another trader in Migori town.

Despite my initial concern, I soon realized that many town residents see nothing unusual about children fending for themselves. It's become a normal part of life for them.

"Parents who delegate household duties to children should be warned; their time is up," declared Charles Ouma, a local administrator.

Ouma told me that many of these children come from poverty-stricken neighbourhoods like Oruba and Pand Pieri. He emphasized that combating child labour has been difficult because parents are often uncooperative and unwilling to enrol their children in school.

"Yes, it is partly a menace in slum areas, but we cannot allow that as an excuse to ruin the future of these young ones. No!" Ouma stated firmly.