The government has launched an investigation following reports that bodies retrieved from a Nairobi funeral home and buried at Lang’ata Cemetery allegedly belonged to street families.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services, Hanna Wendot, confirmed that her office is taking the matter with the seriousness it deserves and has mobilised relevant agencies to establish the facts.
“This morning, I held a consultative meeting with officers from the Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund and concerned government agencies to assess the situation,” CS Wendot stated.
Over the past month leading to late January 2026, at least 15 street-connected children and youth in Nairobi died under mysterious circumstances, primarily in areas like Mathare, Kariobangi, and Mlango Kubwa.
On January 29, 2026, nine bodies were buried in a mass grave at Lang’ata Cemetery after Nairobi politician Agnes Kagure covered morgue fees, transport, and coffins; six others awaited burial.
Consultative Meeting With Agencies
According to the CS, the meeting was aimed at coordinating efforts to establish key details, including the identity, age, gender, and cause of death of the deceased.
Additionally, she confirmed that Investigations are ongoing and that officials are committed to gathering all relevant information to provide clarity on the situation.
“The investigations are currently ongoing to establish the identity, age, gender, cause of death and any other relevant details that will provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths,” she said.
The consultative meeting brought together multiple government agencies tasked with overseeing the welfare of street families.
The focus was on collecting accurate data and assessing the processes that led to the burial of the bodies at Lang’ata Cemetery.
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Authorities are examining whether proper protocols were followed and if any lapses contributed to the incident.
Review of National Street Families Rehabilitation Policy
During the meeting, officials also reviewed the implementation of the National Street Families Rehabilitation Policy. County Street Families Rehabilitation Chapters have been established and operationalised in 38 counties across the country.
These chapters are designed to coordinate rehabilitation interventions and ensure that services are effectively decentralised, bringing support closer to communities in need.
Wendot highlighted the importance of these county chapters, stating, “These chapters play a critical role in coordinating rehabilitation interventions and ensuring that services reach the communities that need them most.”
Vocal Africa Demands Swift Action After 15 Street Children Die Mysteriously
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Vocal Africa has called on Nairobi authorities to act swiftly following the deaths of at least 15 street children in just two weeks.
As burials begin, officials are investigating whether the fatalities were caused by poisoned food or other factors.
The advocacy group emphasised that every life matters and urged authorities to ensure the safety of those still living on the streets.
“Every life matters, and we demand that the authorities act quickly and find the truth to protect those still living on the streets. This cycle of neglect must end now,” Vocal Africa noted.
They stressed the urgent need to end the ongoing cycle of neglect affecting Nairobi’s most vulnerable residents.
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