Marginalisation: How Society Fuels Its Own Crisis?

It took only a year after his release from a children’s home for Joseph—not his real name—to meet his death. With no support from the orphanage, unemployed, and with no known relatives, he found himself in a gang involved in robbery in Nairobi.

During one of the incidents, the police pursued them. Cornered in an apartment in Githurai, Joseph desperately tried to find a hiding place. Before he could reach safety, he was shot. Blood pooled on the balcony of the apartment, marking the tragic end of his young life.

Soon, a crowd gathered—not to mourn, but to cheer the swift action of the police, celebrating the death of another "criminal." At that moment, nobody seemed to care about his past or where he came from. Everyone was quick to say that he got what he deserved.

Too often, as a society, when we point an accusing finger at these young people and their struggles, we forget—or ignore—the other four fingers pointing back at us. We cannot pretend to be innocent in creating the very social problems we later condemn.

Studies consistently show that young people who have lived in residential or institutional care are over-represented in the criminal justice system. They are more likely to be incarcerated, more prone to suicide, struggle with unemployment, face severe mental health challenges, and often perform poorly academically.

It is an undeniable truth that societies that marginalize certain groups of children and young people are vulnerable to profound socio-economic problems. Marginalization not only weighs heavily on these individuals but also imposes a lasting burden on society as a whole. In their distress and suffering, these young people may act or react—not only against those who abandoned them but also against a world that has turned its back on them.

There is an African proverb that says, “A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”

The "village" is more than just a place—it is a nurturing ecosystem that provides identity, belonging, and support for every child and young person. As a society, we must ensure that they feel accepted and supported within every space they inhabit, from their families and communities to the broader policies and legal frameworks that shape their lives.

The moment children or young people are separated from their families and communities, rejection is likely to set in. Placement in children’s homes and other residential care settings often reinforces that feeling of rejection and separation. Children and young people do not remain passive in the absence of love or community. They carry the anger, hurt, and stigma, crying out for attention or help in ways that can harm both themselves and society.

It is our collective responsibility as society to embrace every child and ensure they feel accepted, loved, seen, valued, and supported. If we fail to do so, we do not just lose them—we lose our communities in the process.

When we provide care and support, we can expect the same in return. Only then can we build a truly cohesive and empathetic society.