Kids

Everywhere you go in the countryside, you see kids.(my photo)

When you drive around the countryside of Kenya, you are bound to see lots of little kids. Older ones may be walking to school in their matching uniforms or tending herds of goats. Younger ones might cluster in a playful group, shyly waving as you pass by.

It really struck me the first time I came to this country; how many little kids there are.

It’s not just an impression. There really are lots of young children in Kenya. Kids under age 15 make up over 40% of the population. And the average family size is 4-5 children per mother – with bigger families in rural areas and smaller ones in the cities.

Our day guard has 5 children, and doesn’t even live in the same region as his family. They are off in the western part of the country, while he tries to make more money for them here in Nairobi. Our housekeeper is from a family of 8 siblings and has 5 children, along with several grandchildren.

Most children get a primary education. Though it’s free, families have to pay for uniforms, books, and school supplies. Sometimes, they can’t, and children have to stay home. If forced to choose, families will keep boys in school rather than girls. That’s all the more common for secondary school, which is not free. Kids living in slums, on the streets, or in isolated and nomadic communities generally have no access to a school.

There’s a public primary school by our house. I pass by often walking our dog. The kids laugh and talk to me. If I’m jogging and we happen to be in the dirt lane at the same time, they’ll run along beside me. Most are afraid of the dog, which isn’t surprising in a city where most dogs are raised as guard animals and pretty viscous. Some want to pet him, and even ask me if I’ll give him to them.

Like children all over Kenya, these kids walk long ways to get to school and back. Their uniforms are often worn; sometimes pretty dirty, too. The school buildings and facilities are basic. They do have a large grassy field for playing, and the whole place is very animated.

On the same lane, barely 100 meters away is another primary school. This one is private. Everything here is very groomed and nice. There’s a big outdoor pool, tennis courts, music building, lots of sports fields, and that’s just what I can see from walking by. We can hear them from our house doing their sports, eating lunch, taking recess, or having special celebrations. There’s a good vibe.

These kids don’t walk to school. They are driven in SUVs with red diplomatic plates or Mercedes sedans driven by wealthy Kenyans. Though the lane is full of speed bumps, they typically drive off quickly, leaving the public school kids, people walking to work, and occasional dog walker in their dust.

Showing them their photos always gets a smile. (photo. C.Staub)