Kenya's Gender Ministry Issues Fresh Orders On Missing Children Cases

Kenya’s Gender Ministry Issues Fresh Orders On Missing Children Cases

The Ministry of Gender, Culture, and Children Services has issued new guidelines requiring all cases of missing children to be reported immediately, rather than waiting 24 or 48 hours.

Speaking at Missing Children Day on Monday, May 25, Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo urged parents, guardians and members of the public to report missing children cases without delay to the most immediate authorities.

“There is no waiting period to report a missing child; cases should be reported immediately to the nearest police station, Children’s Services Office, or Child Helpline 116,” Cheptumo stated.

There is no waiting period to report a missing child — cases should be reported IMMEDIATELY to the nearest police station, Children Services Office, or Child Helpline 116. pic.twitter.com/3PBMTDgITo— CS Hanna Wendot Cheptumo (@hannawcheptumo) May 25, 2026

“We have said don’t wait for 24 hours, don’t wait for 48 hours. Report immediately to the police or to the Children’s Department, whichever one comes faster.”

According to the new laws, all missing children incidents must now be reported to both the police and the children’s department to ensure coordinated action.

The government has rolled out a multi-agency approach involving the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU) and the Ministry of Health to strengthen child protection and response systems across the country.

The directive has been issued amid a government crackdown on missing children and child violence cases following growing concern over the rising number of incidents recorded in the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS).

Principal Secretary for Children Welfare Services Carren Ageng’o warned that officers who fail to act promptly after receiving reports would be held accountable under the new directive.

“And everyone will be accountable. If it is reported to the children’s officer, we shall ensure that an O.B. is followed up because a case can only be investigated where there is an O.B.,” the PS said.

For clarification, the figure of 10,581 widely being shared does not represent only children who are currently missing.

The number refers to the broader Missing and Found Children caseload recorded in the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) between January… pic.twitter.com/l9jZCUmm0U— CS Hanna Wendot Cheptumo (@hannawcheptumo) May 26, 2026

CPIMS recorded 10,581 child protection cases between January 2025 and March 2026, including 1,636 missing children cases, 1,952 abductions, 6,820 abandonment cases and 173 trafficking incidents.

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Cheptumo clarified that the 10,581 figure being circulated publicly does not refer solely to children who are currently missing.

However, it represents a broader missing and found children caseload recorded during the period, stressing the need for accurate interpretation of child protection data amid heightened public concern.

“The caseload includes cases of abandonment, lost and found children, abductions and trafficking, including children who were found, rescued, reunited or placed under protection and care interventions,” the CS explained.

This morning, I chaired a high-level multi-agency meeting on the protection of children in Kenya, bringing together key government agencies ; Kenya National Human Rights Commision , Council of Governors-Kenya National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations – DCI ,… pic.twitter.com/J3sm6NLWb5— CS Hanna Wendot Cheptumo (@hannawcheptumo) May 25, 2026

The ministry further revealed that more than 44,000 children whose parents have not yet been identified are currently under the care of government institutions and charitable children’s homes.

It also urged parents of missing children to contact children’s services for assistance in identification.

Kenya’s Gender Ministry Issues Fresh Orders On Missing Children Cases

Tags: Hanna Wendot Cheptumo