The increasing number of missing children cases in Nakuru County has raised alarm among residents and authorities, with several families still searching for their loved ones.

While some children have been safely reunited with their families thanks to the efforts of the police and children's officers, others remain missing and, in some tragic cases, have been found dead in unclear circumstances.

One such tragedy is that of Prince Nathan, whose body was found in the Ndarugu River three weeks after he disappeared from Njoro. His mother, Jane Kariuki, says that her family’s life has never been the same since.

In Nakuru East, particularly in Kiratina and Free Area, residents say that such incidents have become disturbingly frequent.

“Through CCTV footage, we saw a young boy calling to our child and leaving with him on Thursday, October 9. We searched everywhere in Kiratina and Free Area, but we couldn't find our son, Brighton Mwai,” said Jeremiah Njuguna, whose seven-year-old son went missing for three days.

While visiting Central Police Station to check if his son had been found, Ms Njuguna met two other parents who were also looking for their missing children. The families have since joined forces in their search efforts.

Grace Wangui, Brighton Mwai's mother, expressed relief after being reunited with her son, who had been missing for three days and was found on Sunday at midnight near the Country Hotel.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

Brighton’s mother, Grace Wangui, expressed relief after being reunited with her son, but says that the problem persists.

"We found my son on Sunday at midnight after someone called to tell us where he was. But as a community, we’re still searching for another missing child a one-year-old who disappeared on October 4,” she says.

Bernard Masanga, who lives in the same neighbourhood, says his son, Isaac Francis, has been missing for nine days.

Bernard Masanga, from Kiratina, whose son, Isaac Francis, has been missing for nine days.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

“As a family, we are frustrated. We can’t work; all we can think about is finding our boy. Some suspects were arrested and later released. We now feel lost,” he lamented.

According to Pilot Khaemba, the Nakuru County Coordinator for Children's Services, several cases of missing children have been reported this year.

“Two children were reported missing in Naivasha, but we managed to reunite them with their families,” he says.

In Gilgil, Children’s Officer Regina Wangari handled 18 cases of missing children between January and October, 15 boys and three girls, all of whom were successfully reunited with their families.

“When we find lost children, we keep them in our shelter facilities until we trace their parents or guardians,” she explains.

Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara notes reported cases on missing children are currently under investigation in efforts to reunite families with their children.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara confirmed that the police are investigating all reported incidents.

"These are isolated cases. The Kiratina cases have been reported, and the police are following up to ensure the children are found," he says.

Residents are now calling for increased vigilance and improved security, as well as closer collaboration between community members and law enforcement, to prevent further children disappearances.

Gilgil leads in missing children cases with 18 reports this year, several more across Nakuru

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