Nairobi Street Kids Hold Emotional Memorial For Deceased Philanthropist Who Fed, Clothed Them

• John Kariuki "Kiki" may be dead, but the legacy he left behind will endure for decades
• Kariuki dedicated his life to feeding, clothing and educating street kids until his death a few days ago
• For this reason, Nairobi street kids held an emotional memorial to honour the man they hail as a hero

Nairobi, Kenya – Street children held a special event to honour the memory of John Kariuki, a 60-year-old man who dedicated his life to helping street families.

Catherine Karanja told TUKO.co.ke that Peter Kimani, a former street boy and founder of the Blossoms of Ghetto organization, hosted the event.

Who was John Kariuki "Kiki"?

In a heartfelt tribute, Kimani and his team celebrated the birthdays of all street children born in September.

The occasion was also a tribute to Kariuki, affectionately known as "Kiki," for his unwavering commitment to the less fortunate.

For years, Kiki had been a pillar of hope for Nairobi’s street families, providing food, essentials, and support to help them rise from their circumstances.

“Kiki was more than a mentor—he was a father to us. His life was dedicated to ensuring street families were fed, supported, and empowered,” said Kimani.

Kimani's vision for street children

Kimani, who was once a street boy himself before being transformed by Kiki’s mentorship, has now taken on the role of continuing his legacy.

Through Blossoms of Ghetto, Kimani asked well-wishers, NGOs, and the government to join hands in rescuing and rehabilitating street families.

His vision is to see these families empowered through education and employment initiatives, helping them become dependable citizens.

“We urge the government to step in and help us with critical needs, such as providing street families with ID cards," he requested.

Having IDs is crucial in giving street families access to opportunities and fundamental basic rights.

How street kids can break cycle of poverty

The philanthropist's death meant that over 70 children whose fees he was paying were left without their benefactor.

Since Kiki is no longer alive, Kimani vowed to continue his work but admitted that he doesn’t know how to secure IDs for these families.

He also hopes to expand his efforts to include long-term empowerment projects, such as education and job training.

"That way, these families will be able to break the cycle of poverty that grips many of Nairobi's homeless population," he added.

The event served as both a celebration of Kiki’s life and a rallying cry for further support to address the challenges faced by street families.

Kimani’s vision is clear—through collective action, street families can be transformed into contributing members of society, just as Kiki once envisioned.

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Collage of street kids and their hero, John Kariuki.

Dignity for 60 street-boys in Nairobi - GlobalGiving

Street children in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa Stock Photo - Alamy