Police refute claims of surge in missing children cases
By Faith Lagat, May 26, 2026Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga has dismissed claims that Kenya is experiencing a surge in missing-child cases, saying the increase in reporting reflects growing public awareness and faster information circulation rather than a rise in incidents.
Speaking during a media interview on a local TV station on Monday, May 25, 2026, Muchiri said there is no emergency in the country regarding missing children’s cases.
“We don’t have a surge; it is only that we have a public that is more conscious, more aware, and then we have the spread of information, which is faster,” he said.
He added that social media has significantly influenced how such cases are shared and perceived, warning that some viral content may be misleading. “We have the intrusion of AI and fakes. Some of the clips we have seen in recent times… this is something that is recycled,” he stated.
Muchiri urged the public to rely on verified information. “The best approach when you are talking about these things is to have the calmness and the facts before us,” he added.
“Official police records this year talk about 139 cases. In 2025, we had 754 cases that were officially reported. In 2024, we had 1276 cases that were reported. For this year, we have 41 cases that are pending under the jurisdiction of the court. We have 52 cases that are under investigation by the police department,” he said.
Multi-agency response on child protection
His remarks came as the government held a high-level multi-agency meeting chaired by Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo to address child protection concerns.
The meeting brought together the National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya National Human Rights Commission, Council of Governors, and child welfare organisations to strengthen coordination on missing children cases.
Key measures discussed include operationalising the National Child Protection Command Centre for rapid response, improving intelligence sharing, strengthening tracing and rescue operations, and enhancing case management systems. Authorities also prioritised psychosocial support, rehabilitation, and reintegration services for affected families.
CS Cheptumo reaffirmed government commitment, saying: “We will continue to work closely with communities, parents, civil society, faith leaders, development partners, and the media to strengthen awareness, vigilance and collective responsibility in safeguarding our children.”
Rising concerns
Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama described missing children cases as a “constitutional emergency” under Article 53, calling for stronger anti-trafficking laws, real-time tracking systems, and legal reforms to improve child protection.
Recent cases have heightened public concern, including the disappearance and later recovery of Kenya High School student Joy Wanjiru Gathigia in Thika, the killing of Brighton Kibet in West Pokot, the discovery of nine-year-old Shantel Waruguru Kagema’s body in Nyeri, and the rescue of a three-year-old in Malindi linked to suspected trafficking.
Child protection agencies say underreporting remains a concern, even as official systems show thousands of cases involving missing, abandoned, and abducted children. The government has intensified awareness campaigns and expanded use of the Child Helpline 116 to improve reporting and response times.