But those in their midst are good people who have come to provide them with food and shelter. But for these children, the psychological trauma brought unto them by post-election violence is what many do not understand.

“Many of the children here are orphaned. Their parents died in the violence in our neighbourhood,” another girl adds. 

All this suffering leaves ones thinking just how vulnerable children are in times of instability. Many wander aimlessly separated from their parents. 

So far, UNICEF estimates that at least 100,000 children have been displaced in Kenya since the post-election violence began with as many as 75,000 children living in over 100 Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs). In addition many thousands more displaced children and their families are believed to have found temporary accommodation with relatives. 

 According to children rights groups, during this violence people tend to forget the impact it has on young children. After all, they are not considered actors and or stakeholders in the political arena.

 The children’s voice often go unheard or unacknowledged, simply because they are not given the platform to express themselves or time to understand what cause the chaos and terror.

 “Most of the children living in the camps seem not to know what exactly instigated the political violence. They actually seem oblivious to the explosive situation,” said a volunteer at Jamhuri Park who requested anonymity.

 The little knowledge they have is what has been fed to them by their parents and caretakers. This information is hardly objective and limits the children’s understanding of the whole issue.

“Mom said we had to run away from home because we supported the wrong party during the elections,” says nine year old Toni, from Makina, Kibera.

Such sentiments are now playing-out in a negative way, with some children refusing to play with children from other communities.

A recent visit to the Jamhuri camp and other camps in Nairobi was really an eye opener for us as we got to get first hand information from the children.

All what most of them want is to go back home and to resume normal learning. Life at the camp they say is very challenging because they have to brave cold nights and long days with little to eat.

“I want to go back home back to the life I was used to” says 10-year-old Eunice Adhiambo, from Kibera.

“Many of them are receptive to the idea of going back home and starting afresh. But their main concern is insecurity,” said Jane Mwangi, a mother of three.     

Despite what has already happened, the children insist that home is the best and no other place can even come close.

“I do not like it here. I want to go back to our house where I can sleep on my bed and have enough food to eat” said 18-year-old man who identified himself as Cyrus James.

Children here are also concerned with the dangers the camp has exposed them to, particularly the sleeping arrangements. Some spent sleepless nights for fear of sexual or physical assault.

“I prefer to sleep during the day where no one can attack me or worse still rape me” said 12-year-old Christine.

Some girls said people stock them on their way back to their sleeping quarters. “At the medical camp, we have had to deal with at least two cases of rape each day,” said Doreen Bwisa, a clinic administrator at Jamhuri Park Camp.

The medical camp, which is sponsored by Map International, provides first aid treatment to the victims before referring them Nairobi Women’s Hospital where they receive counseling and care and support.

The only challenge is some of the girls do consult the medical camp within 72 hours, complains Doreen.

An AWC Feature

---