Children who escaped from orphanage rescued

Nine children that escaped from Shepherd Orphanage at Uriri Constituency in Migori County yesterday (Sunday) night have been rescued, a children officer in the county has said.

The minors who are between the age of 4 and 6 years spent the night in the cold before they were found by a Good Samaritan as they tried to trace their way back home.

After an interrogation, the children said they escaped at 11pm yesterday (Sunday) after the director of the orphanage allegedly threatened them when they failed to cook supper.

They claim that they have been undergoing frustration at the home, adding that they are not being given proper meals.

Beatrice Orinda said she met the children early in the morning heading toward Oyani Maasai village, located more than 10 km away.

However, the director of the orphanage, Mrs Syprose Odongo alias Jaber, rebutted the claims saying the children are well fed and have everything they need.

Mrs Odongo claimed that the escape was planned, adding that she has had disagreements in the recent past with children officers in the county.

Rongo district children officer, Mr Nyatige Nyangonga, said the children office has had issues with the management of the orphanage over what he termed as mistreatment of the children and mismanagement of the facility.

He said the children are now in the custody of the officers and added that they are planning a meeting to discuss how to handle the issue.

By George Omondi Juma