A study of the factors influencing child abandonment in Nairobi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore and understand the factors influencing child abandonment in Nairobi. Data were collected through openended interviews at Lang'ata Women's Prison with thirteen women who were jailed for child abandonment. Thereafter, data were analyzed and transcribed. The findings revealed that desperation is the governing factor explaining the phenomenon of child abandonment. Nevertheless, some combination of three contributing factors drove these women into desperation, resulting in child abandonment. These factors, namely: destitution, isolation and injustice, taken singly may not have resulted in the same sense of hopelessness, but combined they resulted in desperation. I concluded that the new phenomenon of child abandonment is spreading all over Kenya, especially in the urban areas. This conclusion paved way for recommendations that appeal for programs that will foster unity and teamwork in eradicating the phenomenon.