After the commemoration of International Missing Children’s Day on May 25, 2025, Kenya continues to face an alarming surge in missing children cases. Despite ongoing efforts to address this crisis, the country reported over 8,800 missing children cases in 2024, according to data from the Child Protection Information Management System.
This significant increase marks a worrying trend, with only a fraction of these cases successfully resolved, underscoring the challenges faced by authorities and communities in ensuring the safety of children.
During the observance, Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo called on the government to prioritize internet safety for children. She warned that online predators are increasingly using digital platforms to exploit and abduct children, contributing to the rising number of missing children cases. Odhiambo emphasized the critical role of parents in protecting their children from the dangers of the internet and urged the government to enact and enforce stronger laws against online exploitation and cyberbullying.
The Kenyan government launched the Kenya Emergency Child Alert (KECA) system in March 2024, in partnership with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. This innovative platform sends real-time alerts about missing children to users within targeted geographic areas, enabling communities to mobilize quickly in search efforts. Additionally, the government revised its protocols, removing the previous 48-hour waiting period for reporting missing children and now requiring immediate reporting to speed up rescue operations.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection also introduced updated guidelines to improve coordination between law enforcement, child protection officers, and communities, focusing on data protection and rapid information sharing.
While technological advancements and policy reforms are essential, experts stress that protecting children requires the collective effort of the entire community. Organizations like Missing Child Kenya play a vital role by operating a toll-free line (0800 22 33 44) to report missing children and coordinate searches. The government also provides a toll-free Child Helpline (116) for reporting and assistance.
As Kenya reflects on International Missing Children’s Day, the urgent call is clear: stronger partnerships, faster responses and united communities are crucial to ending the crisis of missing children and ensuring a safer future for all.