17 children are reported missing in Kenya daily

Police say the number could be even higher given that many more lost children are never reported.

Police are now urging members of the public to report missing children for proper documentation. 

Executive Director and Founder of Missing Child Kenya Foundation Mary Munyendo confirmed that most of the children reported missing could have been trafficked out of the country.

“The issue of missing children is a problem in Kenya and is not just unique to Kenya as a country its also common in other developing countries this is because it’s an issue that has never been spoken about before and right now we are in a good space because the government and different partners have started talking about it and now we are making headway in progress,”  she said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Wilkister Nyaiwo on her part appealed to everyone, parents and non-parents alike to participate in ensuring missing children are found.

“How long is a person declared missing in Kenya? In Kenya, it is after 7 years that a file may be closed and declared missing a person from society," Nyaiwo noted.

"This is a multisectoral approach that everyone carries a responsibility in our country don't say you are not a parent so you don't care when a child gets lost or not it's our responsibility to bring our children back home and keep them safe or protected.”