The Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services has announced new directives requiring all missing children cases to be reported immediately, warning against delays that could hinder rescue and investigation efforts.
Speaking during the commemoration of Missing Children Day, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo said parents, guardians and members of the public should no longer wait for 24 or 48 hours before reporting a missing child.
“There is no waiting period to report a missing child. Cases should be reported immediately to the nearest police station, Children Services Office, or Child Helpline 116,” Cheptumo said.
“We have said don’t wait for 24 hours, don’t wait for 48 hours. Report immediately to the police or to the Children’s Department, whichever comes first,” she added.
Multi-Agency Response Rolled Out
Under the new directive, all missing children reports must now be filed with both the police and the Children’s Department to strengthen coordination and speed up investigations.
The ministry said the government is implementing a multi-agency child protection strategy involving the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU) and the Ministry of Health.
The move comes amid growing concern over rising cases of missing children, trafficking, abductions and abandonment across the country.
Officers Warned Against Delays
Carren Ageng’o warned that officers who fail to act swiftly after receiving reports will face accountability measures.
“And everyone will be accountable. If it is reported to the children’s officer, we shall ensure that an O.B. is followed up because a case can only be investigated where there is an O.B.,” Ageng’o stated.
Thousands of Child Protection Cases Reported
According to data from the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS), Kenya recorded 10,581 child protection cases between January 2025 and March 2026.
The figures include:
- 1,636 missing children cases
- 1,952 abductions
- 6,820 abandonment cases
- 173 trafficking incidents
Cheptumo clarified that the widely circulated 10,581 figure does not represent only children who are currently missing, but includes children who were later found, rescued, reunited with families or placed under protective care.
“The caseload includes cases of abandonment, lost and found children, abductions and trafficking, including children who were found, rescued, reunited or placed under protection and care interventions,” the CS explained.
Thousands of Children Still Unidentified
The ministry further revealed that more than 44,000 children whose parents or guardians have not been identified are currently living in government institutions and charitable children’s homes.
Authorities are now urging families with missing children cases to contact children’s services offices to assist in identification and reunification efforts.
The government says the new reporting rules are aimed at improving response times, enhancing investigations and strengthening child protection systems nationwide.
