NAIROBI, Kenya- More than 10,500 child protection cases, including thousands of missing children incidents, were reported in Kenya within just 15 months, raising alarm over a growing crisis affecting vulnerable children across the country.
According to data from the State Department for Children Services, a total of 10,581 child protection cases were documented between January 2025 and March 2026 through the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS).
The figures were released as Kenya marked the International Missing Children’s Day, with officials warning that the country continues to witness rising cases of children disappearing, abandonment, trafficking and neglect.
Principal Secretary for Children Services Carren Ageng’o said abandonment emerged as the leading concern among the reported cases.
“Between January 2025 and March 2026, a total of 10,581 cases have been reported,” the State Department said. Out of these, 6,820 involved abandonment while hundreds of other children remained unaccounted for.
Nairobi recorded the highest number of reported cases followed by Nakuru, Kakamega, Homa Bay and Kiambu counties.
Officials say many children disappear due to domestic violence, online grooming, trafficking, neglect, poverty and family disputes.
Child welfare agencies have also raised concern over increased exploitation of minors through social media platforms where predators allegedly lure children with fake promises of jobs, gifts and relationships.
Data released earlier by the Child Protection Information Management System showed that Kenya recorded 8,824 missing and found children cases in 2024 alone. Of these, 3,866 children remained missing while 4,958 were found but could not immediately be reunited with their families or guardians.
The government says it has intensified rescue operations, family tracing, reintegration programmes and partnerships with law enforcement agencies to address the growing crisis.
“The Department has implemented targeted interventions across all categories, including alternative family care arrangements, rescue operations, family tracing and reunification, reintegration support and judicial action depending on the case specifics,” Ageng’o said.
Child rights activists are now calling for the establishment of a national missing children emergency alert system similar to Amber Alerts used in other countries, arguing that delayed reporting and weak coordination continue to hamper rescue efforts.
The State Department for Children Services has urged parents and guardians to report missing children immediately to the nearest police station, children’s office or through Child Helpline 116.
