Factors influencing implementation of rehabilitation of street children in Kenya: a case of the action for children in conflict (AFCIC) in Thika sub-county

Abstract

The research project study sought to establish the factors influencing the implementation of street children in Kenya with a specific focus on Action for children in conflict in the Thika SubCounty. The main objectives were; To investigate how health, education, rehabilitation parties and psychotherapeutic support influence the implementation of the rehabilitation of street children in Kenya. The population of the study was composed of the street children enrolled at Action for children in conflict, the social workers, the doctors, the counseling specialists, volunteers, teachers and the parents, staff from the DEO, centre director, street children in the AfCiC outreach program and street children who have graduated from the AfCiC rehabilitation program. The target population of the study was two hundred and five (205) which comprised of a hundred and twenty (120) stakeholders and eighty five beneficiaries (85) of the AfCiC street children rehabilitation program. A sample size of 160 was selected in reference to Krejcie‘s model with 90 stakeholders and 70 beneficiaries. The research project employed descriptive surveys therefore measured variables by asking people questions through interviews or questionnaires and therefore examine relationships among the variables. Rehabilitation that lacks a holistic approach is inadequate and does not lead to a transformative stage. Therefore there is great significance in involving Health, Education, Rehabilitation parties and psychotherapy in the implementation of rehabilitation of street children. Psychotherapy is however a modern approach that is proving to be thorough, effective and counters the problem by the roots and not just temporary relief. It was therefore recommended that in addition to health , education and the rehabilitation parties, psychotherapy being very core to the effectiveness of rehabilitation, should be further explored and training should be carried out so as to fill the gaps that are evidently there in the implementation of the rehabilitation of street children.