In an emotional and revealing statement issued on Sunday, June 22, Nairobi County’s Chief Environment Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, extended a heartfelt plea to parents and guardians with missing children: reach out, because your child may be among the city’s growing population of street families.
Mosiria, who has been spearheading an ambitious campaign to restore order and hygiene in the capital by addressing the street family crisis, revealed that some of the children living on Nairobi’s streets may actually be missing minors, lost or abandoned under heartbreaking circumstances. “To all parents or guardians with missing children, please share the details with me… some of them could be among the street families we are engaging with,” Mosiria stated. He shared his direct WhatsApp contact and invited concerned parents to visit his office on the third floor of the City Hall Annex.
In a recent milestone, Mosiria disclosed that he had successfully reunited three street children with their families upcountry, covering transport expenses from his own pocket. However, this noble effort has also exposed the dark underbelly of exploitation within the city. In one disturbing incident, he recounted a case where a woman he offered help to returned the transport fare to a driver, refusing to leave the streets, an apparent ploy to scam the well-meaning officer.
Beyond reunification efforts, Mosiria is also feeding over 30 street families and helping interested children, including three young girls, return to school. His call to action isn’t just aimed at parents; it’s a wider appeal to well-wishers, donors, and Nairobi residents to join him in offering support, accountability, and hope.
In a city overwhelmed by urban challenges, Mosiria’s mission stands out, not just for its empathy, but for its determination to restore dignity and humanity to those society often forgets.
