A major crackdown is set to be conducted in Nairobi's Central Business District to have beggars removed from the streets on Thursday.
Confirming the exercise Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Education, Youth and Gender Janet Ouko explained that it was necessary to restore order as the street families had taken over the city.
“The city has recently experienced an influx in the number of beggars that spread across major streets and this operation will not stop tomorrow; it will be routine to ensure there is sanity in the city,” she stated.
[caption caption="File image of Street children in Nairobi"]
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The initiative will be carried out by the Nairobi county in conjunction with National Council for People with Disabilities to have the city declared a beggars-free zone.
Ouko added that the beggars arrested would be taken to Waithaka in Dagoretti for rehabilitation while non-Kenyans would be deported to their countries of origin.
She disclosed that the 80 percent of beggars were people with disabilities who were being used to extort from residents.
Those found using the beggars would be apprehended and charged as well.
On his part, NCPD Chairman Mohammed Gabbow advised all the disabled persons to use the organization to get assistance rather than being used by cartels to extort money from unsuspecting city residents.
“The council through the national government has key initiatives that target registered people with disabilities,” he conveyed.
Earlier on Monday, Infrastructure Principal Secretary Julius Korir announced plans to repair 158 roads in Nairobi using a Ksh142 Million fund.
[caption caption="File image of Street children in Nairobi"]
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Mr Korir explained that the fund had been obtained after a Ksh808 Million tender for fixing Nairobi roads was sold at a lesser amount than had been budgeted.
