Over 10,000 Child Protection Cases Reported in Kenya as Nairobi Leads in Missing Children Incidents

Kenya has recorded more than 10,000 child protection cases over the last fifteen months, raising fresh concerns over the safety and wellbeing of children across the country. New government figures show that abandonment, abduction, trafficking, and missing children cases remain a major challenge, with Nairobi County recording the highest number of incidents.

Data released by the State Department for Children Services shows that 10,581 child protection cases were documented between January 2025 and March 2026 through the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS), highlighting the scale of child vulnerability in different parts of the country.

Principal Secretary for Children Services Carren Ageng’o said child abandonment emerged as the most common challenge reported during the period.

According to the statistics, 6,820 children were reported abandoned, representing the highest share of cases handled by the department. Authorities also recorded 1,952 abduction cases and 1,636 reports involving missing children, including minors who had either gone missing or were later found. In addition, 173 child trafficking cases were reported nationwide.

The latest figures paint a troubling picture of the risks facing children, even as the government intensifies efforts to strengthen intervention and response mechanisms.

In a statement, Ageng’o said the State Department has rolled out targeted interventions aimed at protecting affected children and ensuring they receive proper care and support.

She noted that authorities have continued to implement rescue missions, family tracing exercises, reunification programmes, and reintegration support for children separated from their families. In cases involving criminal wrongdoing, judicial processes have also been initiated to ensure perpetrators face the law.

“Nairobi County recorded the highest number of reported cases, followed by Nakuru, Kakamega, Homa Bay, and Kiambu counties,” the PS stated.

The concentration of cases in highly populated counties has sparked concern among child welfare stakeholders, with experts pointing to urban migration, poverty, family breakdown, and social vulnerabilities as some of the contributing factors exposing children to neglect and exploitation.

The government says it is working closely with law enforcement agencies, county governments, development partners, and local community structures to improve child safety systems and strengthen emergency response measures.

Ageng’o explained that Kenya has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to child protection, guided by the provisions of the Children Act, 2022. The law established Children Advisory Committees at county and sub-county levels to coordinate interventions involving vulnerable children.

According to the department, the committees bring together government agencies and child welfare actors to ensure reported cases are handled in a timely, coordinated, and structured manner.

The PS also highlighted Kenya’s recent recognition in the Out of the Shadows Index, where the country ranked first across Eastern and Southern Africa as well as West and Central Africa in efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence against children and adolescents.

She said the recognition reflects continued government investment in strengthening systems aimed at protecting children from abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect.

Even so, the State Department is urging Kenyans to remain vigilant and promptly report cases involving missing children, abuse, violence, trafficking, neglect, or online exploitation.

Members of the public have been encouraged to report such incidents through the National Child Helpline 116, police stations, Sub-County Children’s Offices, or local administration offices.

Authorities say early reporting remains critical in enabling faster rescue operations, family tracing, investigations, and access to justice for affected children as the country works to curb the growing number of child protection cases.