Across Kenya, many parents are living in fear as their children go missing, with some disappearing for days or even weeks.In Kirinyaga, Cynthia Wambui’s six-year-old daughter vanished while she briefly stepped out, while in Nairobi, Linet Adhiambo’s children went missing while playing outside.Government data shows that between January 2025 and March 2026, 10,581 children were reported missing, averaging 23 disappearances daily.Cases included abductions, abandonment, trafficking, and lost-and-found situations.

While the police argue that increased social media reporting and AI-generated content exaggerate the crisis, affected families face a harsh reality of fear and uncertainty.

The Ministry of Gender has scrapped the traditional 24-hour waiting rule for reporting missing children, urging immediate reporting to both the police and the Children’s Department.Multi-agency reporting and intelligence sharing are now in place to ensure faster responses and accountability.

Despite some children being rescued or reunited, many remain unaccounted for, and the public calls for stricter measures to protect children from abduction and trafficking.The emotional toll on families is immense, with some still waiting for their children’s safe return while others have suffered the worst outcomes.