Lost boys: Maragua street boys call for financial assistance

A group of boys swim in a swollen section of Githanja River on the outskirts of Maragua town, seemingly unbothered by the danger posed by the fast-flowing waters.

The children, some completely naked, dive repeatedly into the cold river as it surges following recent rains, ignoring warnings from adults who call out to them from the banks. Only after persistent calls do they reluctantly climb out of the water.

Shivering from the cold, the boys pull on their worn-out clothes at the riverbank, laughing and teasing each other as if the river’s strong current poses no threat.

Asked why they are not in school on a weekday, the boys — most of them between Grade 3 and Grade 7 — say poverty and family problems forced them out of the classroom.

“We want to be in school like other children, but our parents could not raise the fees,” one of the boys said.

 “I was in Grade 3 when I left home because there was no hope of going back to school.”

Another boy said he had reached Grade 4 but was sent home to fetch Sh500 in unpaid school levies, which his parents were unable to clear.

The boys say they previously attended several primary schools in the area, before dropping out due to accumulated fee arrears.

One of them said he studied up to Grade 7 before being forced to leave.

Now regarded as the informal leader of the group, he said they survive by spending nights in stalls within Maragua town.

Others say difficult family situations pushed them away from home. Alcoholism and constant domestic disputes were among the issues they cited.

“One boy was moved from a normal school to a special school because he stutters, something he strongly rejected, forcing him to drop out altogether,” the group said.

Another child said he was in Grade 5 when he was sent home for Sh1,000 in unpaid fees.

Most of the children say they come from Mathare and neighbouring villages near Maragua town, where several other children can be seen roaming around instead of attending school.

Despite their current situation, the boys say they still dream of returning to school if someone steps in to support them.

“We want well-wishers to help us go back to school so we can achieve our dreams,” one of them said.

Residents say the boys have become a common sight around the town, often sleeping in open stalls at night without adequate clothing or food.

Peter Kimani, a boda boda rider who operates in the town, said he frequently sees the children as he closes work late at night.

“Sometimes when I finish work at around 11 pm, I find them sleeping in the stalls without warm clothes or food,” Kimani said. “They are still young and need help.”

Another resident, Mary Wangari, said the children should be supported to return to school before their situation worsens.

“They have their whole lives ahead of them. If they get support now, life can change for them,” Wangari said.

“But if they are left like this, they could easily end up becoming problematic adults.”