Senator Kibwana raises alarm over rising cases of missing children
By Emmanuel Rono, June 4, 2026Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana has raised concerns over the increasing number of missing children cases in Kenya, calling for urgent action to strengthen child protection systems and improve investigations into disappearances.
According to a statement by the Parliament of Kenya on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Kibwana said the growing trend poses a serious threat to the safety and well-being of children and exposes weaknesses in existing child protection mechanisms.
She noted that several recent cases have ended in tragedy, while many children remain unaccounted for, leaving families in anguish.
“The country has witnessed a disturbing increase in cases of missing children in recent years, with some incidents ending tragically in the deaths of the victims while the whereabouts of many others remain unknown,” she said.
Recent cases of missing children
She cited the heartbreaking cases of five-year-old Travis Wanjohi and one-year-old Mary Wanjiru from Nyeri County, who were found dead on March 30, 2026 and April 10, 2026, respectively, saying the incidents have shaken the conscience of the nation and highlighted glaring gaps in investigative processes, child protection mechanisms and community-level responses.
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Kibwana also expressed concern over unresolved cases involving missing children, including Lurther Mwangi, an autistic five-year-old from Dandora in Nairobi who went missing on April 15, 2026 and has yet to be found.
She further cited the cases of Nevil Kibui from Kangemi in Nairobi and Precious Jepchirchir from Kaimoiywo Village in Nandi County, who disappeared on August 29, 2025 and March 4, 2025, respectively and remain unaccounted for.
“The Senator observed that the anguish endured by families searching for their missing children is immeasurable and underscored the need for urgent action to safeguard the lives and futures of vulnerable children,” the Parliament statement stated.
Kibwana’s demands
Kibwana wants the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare to provide an annual breakdown of the number of missing children reported to the State Department for Children Services and the National Police Service from 2021 to date.
She is also seeking a status update on investigations into the deaths of Travis Wanjohi and Mary Wanjiru, as well as findings from other cases in which missing children were later found dead.
Further, the Senator wants details on the established protocols for responding to reports of missing children, including the specific steps taken to trace Lurther Mwangi, Nevil Kibui and Precious Jepchirchir.
She also wants the committee to outline measures being implemented to strengthen child protection systems, prevent child abductions and provide psychosocial and other support services to families affected by the disappearance of children.