Kotido authorities set to intensify crackdown on street kids

12 February 2025, 11:47 am

By Bondry Kilenga

The Kotido district authorities have resolved to intensify an operation aimed at removing street children from the streets of Kotido district and rehabilitating them at home.

For a long time, the district has struggled with the issue of street children crowding the streets of Kotido Municipality, particularly in the Central Division. Some of these children have reportedly been lured into criminal activities such as smoking marijuana, pickpocketing, housebreaking, and petty burglary.

Charles Ichogor, the Kotido RDC, without specifying when the operations would take place, stated that the decision was made following a security meeting held on 10th February 2025 at the Kotido district headquarters. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders involved in child-related services.

Ichogor confirmed that a resolution was passed, and a committee, led by the District Internal Security Officer (DISO), was formed to carry out an operation to arrest the street children and reunite them with their families, with the aim of enrolling them in school.

Irar Peter Abrahams, the Kotido Municipal Mayor, welcomed the move but appealed to the RDC for more frequent operations. He noted that the children often return to the streets once the intensity of the operations diminishes.