Government raises alarm over rising cases of missing children as 10,581 incidents reported

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CS Gender, Culture and Children Services Hanna Cheptumo before the Senate Plenary, Parliament, Nairobi. November 12, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The government has raised alarm over increasing cases of missing children across the country, particularly in Nairobi and its environs, revealing that 10,581 child protection cases have been reported between January 2025 and March 2026.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services Hannah Wendot Cheptumo said the cases captured in the Child Protection Information Management System point to a growing child safety crisis that requires urgent intervention.

Between January 2025 and March 2026, a total of 10,581 cases have been reported. Out of these, 6,820 are cases of abandonment, 1,952 are abduction cases, while 173 are trafficking cases,” the CS said.