§ Dr. Strossasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many children in Kenya are orphans or without parental care; and what help, other than that of the "Save the Children" Fund, is available for them.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe number of African orphans is not known, but children lacking parental care are, by tribal custom, normally cared for within their own clans. These arrangements have generally prevailed even in areas affected by the Emergency, and large numbers of children, including 4,186 from Nairobi, have been returned to homes in the native land units. A staff of welfare officers is employed to seek out such children, and those who cannot be settled within their clans are cared for in institutions set up for this purpose. These institutions have accommodation for 1,600 children, but only 399 places are at present filled. Apart from the "Save the Children" Fund establishment at Ugana Park where 178 places out of 500 are taken, there are the following institutions:—
Mathari, run by Catholic Mission for the Nyeri African District Council, where there are 84 children and a capacity of 100;Dagoreth Reception Camp, run by the Christian Council of Kenya on behalf of the Kiambu African District Council; 31 children, capacity 500;21 Mission Stations gazetted as institutions for the reception of children, providing a total of 500 places of which 106 are filled at present, 217 other children having been found homes.Children in need of care also come within the scope of the Prevention of Cruelty to and Neglect of Children Ordinance, which came into force on 29th April, 251 persons, including all Administrative Officers and Government Medical Officers in Central Province, have been appointed Inspectors of Children under the Ordinance, and several organisations are seeking designation as Approved Societies for the care, protection and control of children.