Undugu Society Leads Call for National Action on Homelessness and Street-Connected Communities
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, Kenya — The Undugu Society of Kenya has called for urgent and coordinated action to address homelessness and improve the lives of street-connected communities, warning that rapid urbanisation and inadequate planning are pushing more vulnerable people to the margins of society.
The appeal was made during a national conference convened by the organisation under the theme, “From Dialogue to Action: Securing Space for Street-Connected and Homeless Communities in Kenya’s Fast-Moving Urban Development Discourse.” The forum brought together policymakers, county government representatives, civil society organisations, researchers and community leaders to explore practical solutions for building more inclusive cities.
Speaking at the conference, Undugu Society of Kenya Executive Director Erick Mokaya urged leaders to make homelessness a national development priority, particularly as the country prepares for next year’s General Election.
“We want homelessness and street-connectedness to become part of the national agenda,” Mokaya said. “Political leaders and those in governance must tell Kenyans what they intend to do and how they will work with institutions such as the Undugu Society to address the problem.”
Mokaya questioned official figures indicating that Kenya has about 18,000 street-connected persons, saying the numbers do not reflect the reality experienced by organisations working directly with vulnerable communities.
According to the society’s estimates and international data, he said, the number of people living on the streets could range between 300,000 and 500,000 nationwide.
However, he noted that the organisation was not merely highlighting the challenges but proposing practical solutions, including stronger partnerships between county governments, civil society organisations and development partners.
“Homelessness is not a condition; it is a failure of priorities,” Mokaya said, adding that better use of resources and targeted interventions could transform the lives of thousands of vulnerable children and families.
Chief guest Prof. PLO Lumumba said homelessness has remained a persistent challenge for decades despite efforts by organisations such as the Undugu Society, which has worked with vulnerable communities for more than 50 years.
He called for a clear national policy on homelessness, backed by coordinated action involving the national government, county governments, the private sector and non-governmental organisations.
“If we work together, we can resolve this problem. Homelessness has wider social consequences, including crime, child neglect and poverty, which cannot be allowed to persist in a country aspiring to inclusive economic growth,” Prof. Lumumba said.
He also criticised the current approach to urban development, arguing that many housing projects fail to address the needs of low-income households and often contribute to the displacement of vulnerable communities.
Prof. Lumumba noted that poor planning has led to gentrification in several urban areas, pushing low-income families further away from cities while affordable housing remains beyond the reach of many intended beneficiaries.
He stressed that meaningful solutions require public participation, coordinated planning and investment in economic opportunities in rural areas to reduce migration to urban centres.
Representing the Council of Governors, former Busia Deputy Governor Kizito Osore Wangalwa said homelessness is fundamentally an issue of inclusion that has not received adequate attention from government institutions.
He observed that while civil society organisations have led discussions on homelessness for years, county governments are now beginning to embrace the agenda and integrate it into development planning.
“The existence of families living on our streets demands care, protection and restoration of their dignity. These are rights guaranteed by our Constitution, but implementation remains our biggest challenge,” Wangalwa said.
He called on county governments to mainstream homelessness within social protection programmes and adopt policies that ensure vulnerable people have access to housing, healthcare and other essential services.
Participants at the conference agreed that ending homelessness will require stronger partnerships, evidence-based policies and sustained investment in programmes that promote social inclusion and protect the rights of street-connected communities.
The meeting concluded with renewed calls for national and county governments to place homelessness at the centre of urban development planning, ensuring that Kenya’s growing cities create opportunities for all citizens and leave no one behind.
