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‘Cursed’ schoolgirl who slept at doorsteps finally finds a home


A standard five schoolgirl who was kicked out of the house for bringing ‘bad luck’ to the family has finally found refuge in a children’s home.

The 12-year-old girl from Kariobangi North had been spending most nights on the doorsteps after being thrown out their house by her father and grandmother.

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The Children’s Court on Wednesday granted Ms Diana Okello the authority to be the girl’s caretaker. The young girl will be staying at a children’s home in Pangani where Ms Okello works.

The Nairobi News cannot disclose the identity of the children’s home because the girl’s father, Rashid Adan, 47, is still facing charges of child endangerment and neglect of a minor. He was denied bail on Wednesday and will be remanded until January 2, 2016 when the case will continue.

What we can disclose, however, is that the child has been admitted to a private school in Eastlands where she will be using a school bus every morning and evening.

Her caretaker also confirmed to Nairobi News that the soft-spoken girl had been treated of a chest infection she caught because of sleeping out in the cold for the last three years.

Wednesday’s court order came as a timely relief to the girl who will now enjoy the warmth of a house away from the cold of the El Nino rains.

When Nairobi News had first highlighted the plight of the young girl in September, she used to spend most nights on the doorsteps, while her other siblings enjoyed the warmth and comfort of the house.

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We found her seated with a plate of Ugali and Sukuma Wiki on her hand on the doorstep. She was wearing school uniform and sat on an old doormat. She claimed that she was given the food by a neighbour.

She also had books next to her, an indication that she also did her studies right outside the house.