A record 1,251 children went missing between January last year and June this year, with the majority of the cases reported in the Rift Valley.
According to a report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, another 917 children were traced and reunited with their families during the same period.
The details are contained in a statement from the Interior Ministry to Parliament.
The ministry was responding to a statement sought by Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Donya last month before the House went on a short recess.
The lawmaker had raised alarm over the rising number of missing children across the country and demanded not only the figures but also details of what the government is doing to curb the worrying trend.
In response, the Interior ministry, through security committee chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo, gave a detailed breakdown of the reported cases of missing children across the country.
According to the report, the highest number of missing children was reported in the Rift Valley, with 439 cases, of which 320 children were traced.
Eastern recorded 243 cases, with 220 children traced and reunited with their families, followed by Central with 230 cases, of which 160 children were traced and reunited. Western recorded 103 missing children, while 69 were traced.
At the Coast, 83 children were reported missing, while 57 were traced. Nairobi recorded 54 cases, with 12 children traced.
Northeastern reported 53 missing children, of whom 37 were traced, while Nyanza recorded 47 cases, with 42 children traced.
“The government has taken measures to prevent this by improving investigations and strengthening child protection mechanisms in the country,” Tongoyo read from the statement signed by Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen.
“This includes the establishment and strengthening of child protection and gender desks in police stations to provide a child-friendly reporting environment and improve the handling of cases involving children.”
The Narok West MP also noted the government is enhancing surveillance and monitoring, especially along notorious trafficking routes, border points and regions considered to be at high risk of trafficking activities.
The National Police Service, he noted, is working with other stakeholders to ensure the safety and protection of children across the country.
“The government continues to undertake community policing interventions aimed at creating awareness of child protection issues and encouraging the timely reporting of child abuse, neglect and exploitation,” the Narok West legislator said.
“NPS is leveraging Nyumba Kumi and community policing structures to gather intelligence and support early intervention efforts, and the introduction of stipends will go a long way.”
However, Donya was not convinced by the response, citing gaps in what the government intends to do to address the menace.
“I did not ask for organisations or those who are in charge. I do not know what was wrong with giving details on what the Ministry is doing regarding the missing children. You are just evading your responsibilities as the chairperson and those of the Ministry to take care of our children,” she fired back.
“I wanted to know the measures being taken to ensure children are safe and that their security is guaranteed.”
Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed also concurred, faulting the statement for lacking specific measures to eradicate the vice.
She argued that many children have gone missing and the government is treating the matter casually by saying it will rely on village elders.
“The elders do not have the machinery required to know how children go missing, yet others are taken across the border. The issue of security has been a challenge even at the Coast, and there is need to push these issues. A proper response should be provided,” Zamzam said.
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo, while acknowledging the growing number of missing children, urged the government to do more to address the situation.
“In many cases, children are being lured on their way to school in the morning or even in the evening, as well as during weekends and school holidays. I want to urge the Government to go out of its way to enhance public education and continuously remind parents of their sole responsibility to take care of their children,” Oundo said.
