Mosiria urges Kenyans to stop giving street families cash
By Paulette Mboga, September 29, 2026Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria has urged Kenyans to stop giving street families cash, saying direct financial support can encourage dependency and make some people continue living on the streets.
He said Kenyans should instead support street families in ways that meet their immediate needs while also helping them leave the streets. Mosiria suggested that those who want to give money should use it to buy food or sanitary pads instead.
“Hawa street families tuwapende na tuwasaidie kutoka streets, sio kuwapatia pesa. If you must give them money, then use that money to buy them food or sanitary pads. Giving them money can encourage dependency and make some continue staying on the streets,” Mosiria said on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Mosiria said he had personally been involved in efforts to help children and adults living on the streets. He said the work of rescuing people from the streets was difficult, having helped more than 100 children and many adults.
“I have rescued more than 100 children from our streets and many adults as well. It is not easy!” Mosiria said.
Mosiria raises concern over people with disabilities
Mosiria also spoke about street families living with disabilities, raising concern over people who may take advantage of them to collect money from members of the public. He said some individuals could be used to receive money from sympathisers without benefiting from the support themselves.
“Imagine someone taking advantage of these innocent people living with disabilities by collecting money on their behalf from sympathisers. Some people allegedly bring individuals living with disabilities from neighbouring countries and use them here in Kenya,” Mosiria said.
He described the practice as a multimillion-dollar scam that he said needs to be stopped. Mosiria claimed that the people behind the network were well connected, making it difficult to address the issue.
“This is a multimillion-dollar scam that needs to be stopped. The people behind this network are well connected, and if we must stop it, we should not give out money freely,” Mosiria said.
Mosiria said the public could still support people living with disabilities and other vulnerable people without giving out cash directly. He suggested that people instead provide food or other meaningful forms of help.
“Instead, let us support these innocent people by buying them food or providing meaningful help,” Mosiria said.
His remarks centred on the need to support street families while avoiding forms of assistance that he said could encourage dependency. Mosiria said Kenyans should show care by helping vulnerable people with practical support rather than simply handing them money.