DPP Noordin Haji takes action after KTN exposé on Child Welfare Society of Kenya

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has ordered investigations on the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK) following an exposé aired by KTN on Tuesday night.

DPP Haji directed Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai to ensure that immediate investigations are carried out to establish whether claims of child neglect and misappropriation of public funds are accurate.

KTN highlighted the plight of children at the Mama Ngina Kenyatta Children's Home, revealing the less than ideal conditions they live under.

DPP Noordin Haji orders investigations after KTN exposé on Child Welfare Society of Kenya Pulse Live Kenya

CWSK treating children with questionable 'Green Therapy'

Images seen on the exposé showed the children sleeping in congested rooms with some lacking mattresses and sleeping on the bare floor.

What was more alarming, however, was the unregulated alternative modes of treatment that special needs children were being forced to go through.

A nurse who spoke to The Standard on condition of anonymity explained that CWSK management introduced the unapproved methods in December 2018.

"At first I was told not to question anything. Questions would be answered with sackings. At that time we were told to stop taking children for physiotherapy at established hospitals," the nurse explained.

The CWSK managers directed that the children would be taken to a facility in Nairobi CBD for "Green Therapy" treatment. ARVs for HIV positive children were also discontinued.

"Some would be given inner soles with alleged healing powers. Others would be given cards, just as big as ID cards, that would be strung around their necks. The facility’s operators would insist that the cards had healing properties. We were told that procedure would heal all diseases the children had," the nurse explained.

DPP Noordin Haji orders investigations after KTN exposé on Child Welfare Society of Kenya Pulse Live Kenya

History of the Child Welfare Society of Kenya

CWSK was set up in 1950, before Kenya attained independence, as one of the measures the colonial government took to ensure orphans of the 2nd World War and other children affected by the war were cushioned.

The first branches of CWSK to be established were Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru, followed by Kisumu and since, the institution has set up various homes around the country.

Honorary patronage was given to Mama Ngina Kenyatta shortly after independence and she served in the capacity until Mzee Jomo Kenyatta died. President Uhuru Kenyatta is the current patron of the society.