The number of people living and working on Kenya’s streets has fallen to 18,049, marking a major drop from the 46,936 recorded during the previous national count in 2018.
The latest figures point to progress in efforts to move street-connected people into safer living conditions, but the new data also shows that children and young people remain the biggest group affected, with more than three-quarters of those counted falling in these age groups.
The figures were presented by the Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund in a response to the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Social Protection.
Trust Fund chief executive officer Caroline Towett and chairperson Mary Wambui said the decline followed rehabilitation programmes carried out by the Government together with its partners.
The programmes have been guided by the National Policy on Rehabilitation of Street Families, 2023, which seeks to address the needs of people living and working on the streets.
“The results indicated a decrease in the number of street families in comparison to the 2018 census,” the Trust Fund said.
The latest count was the second national census on street-connected people. Preparatory work started in 2024 before the exercise was conducted in July 2025.
The census was carried out jointly with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the State Department for Children Services and other government and non-state actors.
It covered urban centres in each of the 47 counties, giving authorities a wider picture of the number of people affected and the conditions they face.
Nairobi had the largest number, with 4,690 street-connected people. Nakuru followed with 1,546, while Mombasa recorded 1,428 and Kiambu 1,370.
The findings show that although the overall number has fallen, street life continues to affect young people heavily.
Children and young people accounted for more than 76 per cent of everyone counted during the exercise.
The Trust Fund said financial hardship was among the leading reasons people were pushed into street life. It also pointed to unstable homes and family breakdown, especially among children and adolescents.
“Economic vulnerability emerged as a key driver of street life, compounded by family instability and breakdown, particularly among children and adolescents,” it said.
Those living on the streets also face problems accessing services that are available to other members of the public.
The Trust Fund listed education, healthcare, social protection and legal documentation among the areas where street-connected people experience barriers.
A lack of official documents was identified as a major problem, with birth certificates singled out as particularly important in accessing government services.
Despite these difficulties, the census found that there is a strong desire among most respondents to leave the streets.
“Most respondents expressed willingness to leave street life, presenting an opportunity for targeted rehabilitation, reintegration and economic empowerment interventions,” the Trust Fund said.
The agency said this willingness should be used to strengthen programmes that help people return to families and communities while also giving them the means to remain off the streets.
It called for more support for vulnerable families and stronger parenting programmes to prevent children from ending up on the streets.
Other measures proposed include keeping children in school, preventing substance use and creating more livelihood opportunities for families and individuals at risk.
The Trust Fund also said rehabilitation programmes should take into account the different needs of children, youth, adults, older people and people living with disabilities.
It wants those taken through rehabilitation to have access to safe shelters, affordable housing, healthcare, mental health services and clean water and sanitation.
The Government's 4Rs+P programme is among the measures being used to deal with street families. The programme focuses on Rescue, Rehabilitation, Reintegration, Resocialisation and Prevention.
The Trust Fund said its work under the programme had reached thousands of street-connected people during the three years between the 2023/24 and 2025/26 financial years.
During this period, 15,766 people were rescued, while 17,570 received psychosocial support.
Another 17,351 street families benefited from education and vocational skills training, giving vulnerable people opportunities to gain skills that can help them improve their lives.
The agency said 13,884 street-connected people were returned to their communities, while 1,293 families received support aimed at improving their economic situation.
A further 660 people responsible for supporting and protecting street families were trained during the period.
“These interventions have enhanced access to essential services, strengthened family support systems, promoted skills development and supported sustainable reintegration into the community,” the Trust Fund said.
The agency, however, warned that maintaining the progress will require additional resources.
It plans to establish a model rehabilitation centre in Mavoko, Machakos County, which will have space for 500 beneficiaries.
The proposed project is expected to cost Sh1.96 billion, and the Trust Fund is seeking financial support to make the construction possible.
The centre is expected to serve children, young people and adults who are street-connected. It will offer rehabilitation, safeguarding, case management and support for their return to the community.
The Trust Fund is also pushing for street-family programmes to be included in the budgets of both the national and county governments.
It wants the national census on street-connected people to be carried out at regular intervals and included in the national statistical system.
According to the agency, regular data would help the Government plan better, measure progress and improve accountability when responding to the needs of street families.
“The Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund remains committed to ensuring that street families are not left behind,” the agency said.
The Trust Fund said the reduction in street numbers should not lead to reduced attention, arguing that removing people from the streets is only one part of the solution.
It said long-term success would depend on dealing with the problems that push people into street life, including poverty, family breakdown, unemployment and poor access to essential services.