Kenya: 334 Children Still Missing As Kenya Records 1,251 Disappearances in 18 Months

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a Capital FM report from Nairobi, reported that 1,251 children were recorded as missing in Kenya between January 2025 and June 2026, with 334 of them still unaccounted for. The figures came from a statement by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday by Administration and Internal Security Committee chair Gabriel Tongoyo after a request from Kisii Woman Representative Doris Donya.

According to the statement, 917 of the missing children had been found and reunited with their families during the 18-month period. Rift Valley had the largest number of reported cases, at 439, followed by Eastern with 243 and Central Kenya with 230. Western recorded 103 cases, Coast 83, Nairobi 54 and Nyanza 42.

Murkomen said the government was pursuing several responses, including stronger child protection desks at police stations, monitoring of suspected trafficking routes and border areas, and cooperation with county governments, schools, local administrators and civil society groups. He also cited community policing, public awareness efforts, Human Trafficking and Child Protection Units, Gender and Children Desks, and collaboration with Interpol on cross-border trafficking investigations.

MPs said the numbers were troubling and pressed for clearer evidence that the measures were working. Donya faulted the ministry for emphasizing institutions rather than specific actions and results, while other lawmakers highlighted risks in border counties and called for tighter surveillance, better public education and stronger coordination among security agencies. The issue matters because child disappearances involve both immediate family distress and wider concerns over child protection, trafficking and public safety.