A recent report by Kenya’s National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) shows that more than half of the homeless people in the country are men.
Out of every 10 homeless individuals, eight are men, making up 80% of Kenya’s homeless population.
The report, outlined in Sessional Paper No.1 of 2023 on Kenya National Population Policy for Sustainable Development, highlights concerns about poverty, social exclusion, and inadequate housing among homeless men.
NCPD Director-General Mohamed Sheikh emphasized that homelessness often reflects broader social issues, including lack of healthcare, education, and integration into society.
During the report’s launch in Nairobi, Dr. Sheikh urged the government to take effective steps to resettle homeless individuals and improve their access to essential services.
In the past five years, the number of homeless people in Kenya has almost doubled.
The Kenya Population and Housing Census 2019 counted 20,101 homeless individuals, which is less than 1% of the total population.
Currently, there are 46,639 homeless people in Kenya, with Nairobi County having the highest number at 15,337.
Other counties with significant homeless populations include Mombasa (7,529), Kisumu (2,746), Uasin Gishu (2,147), and Nakuru (2,005).
The report highlights that homelessness is exacerbated by factors such as orphanhood, disability, social discrimination, displacement, and poverty.
Despite Kenya being classified as a Low Middle Income Country and the ninth-largest economy in Africa, about 18% of the population lives in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.98 (Sh255) per day, according to a 2022 World Bank report.
Furthermore, the report indicates an increase in unemployment rates over the past decade, rising from 3% in 1999 to 5.5% in 2019.
However, there has been a notable reduction in child labor, decreasing from 35% in 2014 to 9% in 2022.
The labor force participation rate among working-age individuals is 77%, demonstrating active engagement in the job market.
The NCPD’s new policy urges both national and county governments to integrate population issues into broader efforts addressing socio-economic challenges faced by vulnerable groups in Kenya.
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