Sonko seeks advice from parents on how to help former street boy Morris Mwenda

Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has sought advice from parents on what he should do before he chips in to assist former street boy Morris Mwenda who has since returned to the streets.

Morris Mwenda ran away from Gachie shelter citing mistreatment at the facility.

In a video recently posted on Facebook by Abdulghani Adam, Mwenda, who is in the company of other street children, said he has moved back to the streets to protest the living conditions at the shelter.

The 15-year-old claimed that he was thoroughly caned by a caretaker at the home over a book.

These allegations by Morris prompted Sam Gichuru, NaiLab CEO and a contributor to Homeless of Nairobi to defend the shelter. Sam said Mwenda and other kids sneak out on weekends and return on Monday after making money by begging on the streets.

Morris, had in the two-minute video clip, also denied having been taken in by Senator Sonko.

“I have been hearing rumours that Morris has been taken in by Sonko. Those are rumours. We want to go back to school, but because we are uncomfortable where we are living in Gachie (we have returned to the streets),” he said.

“After keenly watching his new video clip I wish to have an input from other parents like me before rushing into any conclusion,” responded Sonko.

“…whoever is spreading romours that the street kid Morris was under my care is wrong as I have never met him.

“In my own opinion I think the boy first needs rehabilitation before rejoining any school or being adopted by any family… We also need to confirm what transpired when the kid (Morris) was under the care of a Good Samaritan Joe Kariuki’s family which had earlier offered to adopt him. I stand corrected if I may be wrong in any of my personal views,” said Sonko.

The senator says just as he had promised earlier, his offer of taking back Morris to school still stands.

“I still stand by my earlier offer to assist this bright child (Morris Mwenda) and ensure that he goes back to school and achieve his lifetime dream but turns around his life at this juncture.”

Sonko additionally urged Kenyans “not to play politics with the boy’s life.”