Violence continues to affect Kenya's capital, Nairobi, and many towns in the Rift Valley. Save the Children is extremely concerned about the impact of the ongoing fighting on children. It is estimated that at least 150,000 children have been forced to leave their homes.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings, courtesy: www.alertnet.org

Kenya's political crisis has led to shocking violence and the displacement of some 300,000 people, mainly in Western Kenya and the slums around Nairobi. Conflict erupted in the country following the disputed results of the presidential elections held on 27 December 2007 and the inauguration of President Kibaki a few days later. Tensions remain high in many towns across the country. Kenya is host to some 270,000 refugees, nearly 200,000 of whom are from Somalia. As a country it experiences frequent droughts, yet up until now has been fairly stable politically. Therefore the latest descent into violence is a very worrying development. 

Displaced children

Children who have been forced to flee their homes are at risk of being separated from their families and are much more likely to be exposed to further violence, abuse and exploitation. And many families from remote rural areas and slums are too scared to return home because of continuing ethnic tensions and could remain displaced from their homes for several months.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra, courtesy: www.alertnet.org . 

Vulnerable families

Save the Children's main objective is to help ensure that children and their families displaced by the ongoing violence are protected from harm and that children will have access to educational and recreational activities, in order to create a sense of normality to their lives.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra, courtesy: www.alertnet.org

Registering unaccompanied children

Many of the children in this camp are with their families, but some of them are orphans or separated from their families - alone and vulnerable. Some of these orphaned children lost their parents during the recent violence. Others became separated from their parents as they fled their home. Working in Nairobi and Nakuru district, located in the Rift Valley, Save the Children is training local volunteers working with children on methods and principles on how to protect children. For example, the training includes how to identify and register unaccompanied children, so that they can be reunited with their parents as soon as possible. Photo credit: Save the Children/Jon Bugge

A frightening time

For Kenyan children, particularly those in the areas affected by the violence, this is a frightening time. During times of upheaval, giving children the chance to play with friends and get a schooling are important for returning some sense of normality to their lives. Over 100,000 children are currently out of school. Photo credit: REUTERS/Noor Khamis, courtesy: www.alertnet.org

Save the children in action

Working in Nairobi and Nakaru district, located in the Rift Valley, we are distributing educational kits with materials such as exercise books, pens and pencils and recreational kits with play items to children living in temporary camps. We've helped set up safe spaces for children under the age of seven in new camps for displaced people. The children can play with toys, read books and enjoy activities facilitated by volunteers in the spaces while their parents work. Photo credit: Save the Children/Jon Bugge

Life in the camps - Maria Nahuka

Maria came to Jamhuri Park camp in Nairobi to escape the violence in her home town, but life in the camp also varies from day to day. "I look after my brother all the time because I am his sister and I have to. Sometimes we go and make a line to get the food but when we get to the front of the line the food has run out so then we have to stay here without eating anything. Even now we have not eaten all day. Some people like fighting - like when someone comes with milk, they fight and break it so then no one gets any milk. That was why we did not eat yesterday.  But sometimes in the camps the situation is good - we eat food together, some of the mothers cook it in the kitchen. We learn in the tents here and have a kind of school." Photo credit: Save the Children/Jon Bugge

Thinking about the children

The long-term impacts of this crisis are becoming all too apparent, not least on the macro-economic situation and families' livelihoods. Save the Children anticipates that we will need to work in food security and livelihoods for some time to come.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra, courtesy: www.alertnet.org

Life in the camps - Jane Njeri

"I left my home in Burnt Forest three days ago - we have travelled here (Nakuru showground) by getting lifts along the road. There is still violence in Burnt Forest and many people I know are still there," said Jane Njeri, 28, as she comforted her crying 8 month old daughter. Jane has two other children with her in the camp; another 10 year old daughter, and a 4 year old son. Jane said "I do not want to return home. I would rather stay here - we have to start again - all I want is a house and some money so I can start to make a living again. I don't know who burnt my house but I am worried for the people who remain in Burnt Forest." Her young daughter starts to cry again and Jane turns to comfort her once more.

Photo credit: Save the Children/Jon Bugge

Appeal Save the Children has launched a US$ 2 million appeal to help the children who are bearing the brunt of violence in Kenya.

Here is an example of how your donation can support our relief program:

$9 - buys a teacher's support kit including notebooks, folders, register, and biros. 

$10 - buys a school backpack containing an exercise book, biros and pencils, stationery, geometry set, and crayons.$40 - buys a household kit including blankets, bucket and jerry can, plates, knives, forks, cups, plastic sheeting, torch, and candles.$600 - buys a recreational kit for 50 children, including toys, tarpaulins, books, stationery and flip charts.$1500 - buys a computer to help with child tracing.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Noor Khamis,

courtesy: www.alertnet.org

Appeal Save the Children has launched a US$ 2 million appeal to help the children who are bearing the brunt of violence in Kenya.

Here is an example of how your donation can support our relief program:

$9 - buys a teacher's support kit including notebooks, folders, register, and biros. 

$10 - buys a school backpack containing an exercise book, biros and pencils, stationery, geometry set, and crayons.$40 - buys a household kit including blankets, bucket and jerry can, plates, knives, forks, cups, plastic sheeting, torch, and candles.$600 - buys a recreational kit for 50 children, including toys, tarpaulins, books, stationery and flip charts.$1500 - buys a computer to help with child tracing.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Noor Khamis,

courtesy: www.alertnet.org