By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 27 December 2025 - Kisumu Central MP Dr Joshua Oron has announced an ambitious initiative aimed at reintegrating street-connected children into formal education and vocational training, signaling a renewed focus on social inclusion and youth empowerment in his constituency.
The programme, unveiled during the festive season when street families were treated to delicacies at Central Square in Kisumu City, includes full scholarships for children enrolled in schools and technical training institutions.
Street-connected children in Kenya face significant barriers to education.
Many are forced into street life due to poverty, family instability, or other social challenges, leaving them outside the formal school system.
Oron’s initiative addresses these gaps by offering children placements in schools appropriate to their previous educational levels while also providing older youths with vocational skills training in areas such as welding, tailoring, and mechanics.
This dual approach aims to equip children not only with academic skills but also with practical abilities that can enhance their employability.
The initiative highlights a growing political and social trend of constituency-level interventions targeting marginalised populations.
By prioritising street children, Oron positions himself as a leader responsive to some of the most vulnerable groups in society.
It also reflects the increasing role of Members of Parliament in Kenya in leveraging government resources, including the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), to fund education and skills programmes.
Oron’s public messaging underscores a broader social objective: challenging the stigma surrounding street-connected youth.
He emphasised that many street children are capable and bright but have been forced into survival situations by circumstances beyond their control.
By reframing street children as potential contributors to society rather than as societal burdens, the initiative seeks to change public perceptions while providing tangible support.
Timing and optics also play a key role in the initiative. Announcing the programme during a festive event for street families allowed Oron to connect directly with the beneficiaries and maximise public visibility.
More from Kenya
The initiative thus functions as both a welfare program and a demonstration of constituency engagement—a balance that can strengthen a political leader’s profile while addressing a pressing social need.
However, the programme’s success will depend on its implementation.
Reintegration of street children requires more than financial support. It demands consistent follow-up, psychosocial counseling, mentorship, and coordination with schools and training institutions.
Additionally, vocational programs must align with market needs to ensure that graduates have access to sustainable employment.
Oron’s experience in working with street families for nearly two decades may facilitate effective execution, but scaling the initiative to reach all eligible children remains a challenge.
Nationally, the programme contributes to ongoing discussions about inclusive education and youth empowerment.
Similar initiatives have been implemented in other counties, but Kisumu Central’s combination of formal education and vocational training, coupled with efforts to reduce stigma, may offer a replicable model for other constituencies.
Oron’s programme represents a notable attempt to combine social welfare, education policy, and political engagement.
While the initiative’s long-term impact will depend on careful implementation and continued support, its launch reflects an increasing awareness among Kenyan leaders of the need to address educational exclusion and youth marginalisation through targeted, community-based programmes.
Mr Kepher Otieno is a senior journalist, regular advocate for democracy and good governance, media consultant and columnist based in Kenya.
The opinion expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dawan Africa.
