Every day, families across Kenya report children who disappear without warning, turning what begins as an ordinary day into a desperate search.
A new report tabled in Parliament shows Nairobi, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kiambu and Siaya have recorded the highest number of missing children cases over the last five years, exposing the counties carrying the country's biggest child protection burden.
The report by the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services shows that 43,844 children were reported missing between 2021 and December 2025. Of these, Nairobi accounted for the highest number with 6,389 cases, followed by Nakuru at 3,169, Kakamega with 2,298, Kiambu at 2,249 and Siaya with 1,704.
Together, the five counties recorded 15,809 cases during the period under review, the highest combined total in the country.
According to the ministry, the high number of cases in the five counties is linked to a combination of large urban populations, reporting infrastructure and other underlying risk factors.
“The disappearance or loss of a child is an issue or critical national importance that demands seamless inter-agency coordination, zero administrative delays and absolute transparency,” Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo notes.
The report further lists Busia with 1,568 reported cases, Migori at 1,549, Trans Nzoia 1,438, Kisumu 1,336, Meru 1,310, Kisii 1,308, Uasin Gishu 1,279, Homa Bay 1,178 and Kilifi with 1,082 cases.
Machakos recorded 974 cases, followed by Embu with 970, Vihiga 951, Murang'a 941, Bungoma 806, Nyandarua 795, Kajiado 790, Laikipia 757 and Mombasa with 725 cases.
The ministry says the figures could be higher because the data only captures cases recorded in the Child Protection Information Management Systems (CPIMS). It does not include reports held by the National Police Service.
The report also shows that child abandonment accounts for the largest share of missing children cases in the country. A total of 28,408 children were recorded as abandoned, representing 64.8 per cent of all reported cases.
Abduction cases stood at 8,152, accounting for 18.6 per cent, while cases classified as missing children, including those reported lost and later found, totalled 7,284, representing 16.6 per cent.
“This indicates that abandonment, rather than abduction, is the primary driver of the missing children burden nationally,” reads the report.
Looking at the annual figures, 2022 recorded the highest number of missing children cases at 9,419. The number stood at 9,166 in 2025, while 2021 recorded 8,999 cases. There were 8,178 cases in 2023, with 2024 recording the lowest figure at 8,082 during the five-year period.
The ministry says the first step when a child goes missing is to report the matter to the nearest police station or police post. It notes that reporting the case to Children Services, Child Helpline 116, a school, hospital, local administration or community structures does not replace filing a police report.
At the police station, officers are required to capture the child's name, age, sex, recent photograph, physical description, clothing worn, the date and place the child was last seen, parent or caregiver details, school or institution attended, known vulnerabilities and any suspected circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
Police are also expected to visit the location where the child was last seen, record witness statements, verify available leads, preserve evidence where necessary and check places where the child may be found.
Where investigations indicate child stealing, abduction, trafficking, sexual violence, homicide, online exploitation, movement across counties or other serious criminal offences, the matter is referred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Where public assistance is required, the DCI may activate the DCI Kenya Child Alert or issue other verified public appeals. According to the ministry, such alerts should only be based on verified police information and must protect the dignity, privacy and safety of the child and the family. Once the child is found, the alert should be updated or withdrawn.
Where a child is found dead, police and the DCI take charge of processing the scene, conducting post-mortem examinations, investigations and prosecution-related action. Children Services supports the family through liaison, psychological and bereavement referrals, documentation and child protection follow-up within its mandate.
The ministry says a missing child case is only closed after authorities confirm the child has been found alive and safely reunited with family, placed under appropriate care, confirmed dead or otherwise concluded by the relevant authorities. Cases where the child remains missing stay active for continued tracing and regular review.