Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici has expressed concern over the increasing number of reported missing children across the country and called for urgent intervention by the government and greater vigilance from parents and communities.
Speaking during a burial service at Kaitheri Village in Kirinyaga Central, Ngirici said the growing number of child disappearances has left many families living in fear and uncertainty as they continue searching for their loved ones.
Ngirici noted that Kirinyaga County has also witnessed several reported cases, particularly in Mwea and Ndia constituencies, a situation she said should not be ignored.
She urged parents and guardians to take a more active role in protecting their children by closely monitoring their movements, knowing their friends and maintaining regular communication with them. She said many dangers facing children today require parents to be more alert than ever before.
Ngirici also called on members of the community to work together in safeguarding children, saying child protection should not be left to parents alone.
According to Ngirici, neighbours, religious leaders, teachers, and local administrators all have a responsibility to ensure children are safe and to promptly report any suspicious activities.
“Children are a shared responsibility. Communities must remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies whenever a child goes missing or when suspicious individuals are noticed within neighbourhoods,” she said.
Ngirici further encouraged parents to educate their children about personal safety, including the dangers of interacting with strangers, sharing personal information, and accepting gifts or offers from unknown individuals.
She emphasized that Kenyan laws and the Constitution guarantee every child the right to protection from abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation, and all forms of harmful treatment.
She warned that the continued rise in missing children threatens these rights and requires urgent action from all stakeholders.
At the same time, Ngirici challenged the government to strengthen measures for protecting children and responding swiftly whenever cases of disappearance are reported. She said many parents have been frustrated by delays in investigations and the lack of information regarding the whereabouts of their missing children.
She called on security agencies to intensify investigations, improve coordination among law enforcement institutions, and ensure every reported case is treated with the seriousness it deserves.
“The pain experienced by parents whose children have disappeared cannot be described. The government must prioritize these cases and ensure families receive timely updates as investigations continue,” she said.
Ngirici also urged the government to invest in public awareness campaigns aimed at educating families on child safety and prevention measures.
She said such programs would help reduce cases of disappearances by equipping parents and children with the knowledge needed to identify and avoid potential threats.
According to figures from the Ministry of Gender, Culture, and Children Services, a total of 10,581 cases of missing children were reported between January 2025 and March 2026, translating to a national average of about 23 children disappearing every day.
At the same time, Ngirici called for comprehensive and independent investigations into the causes of recurring fire incidents in learning institutions, arguing that the government should involve other stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability in the process.
She proposed that institutions such as churches, education experts, psychologists, and child welfare organizations be involved in examining the root causes of school unrest and recommend lasting solutions.
According to her, allowing independent voices to participate would help build public confidence in the findings and ensure all contributing factors are properly addressed.
Ngirici noted that rising cases of student unrest could be a reflection of deeper challenges facing learners, including mental health struggles, peer pressure, drug and substance abuse, academic stress, and poor communication between students and school administrations.
She emphasized the need for stronger guidance and counseling programs in schools, saying learners should be given safe spaces to express their concerns before frustrations escalate into violence or destruction of property.
She further called on the Ministry of Education to strengthen monitoring and inspection of schools to ensure institutions comply with safety regulations and provide adequate support systems for students.
She said school managers, parents, and education officials must work closely together to identify early warning signs of unrest and take preventive measures before situations get out of hand.
Ngirici said it was unfortunate that several students have lost their lives in recent dormitory fire incidents, adding that such tragedies should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to prioritize the safety and welfare of learners.
“No parent sends a child to school expecting them to return home injured or lose their life in a preventable incident.”
She urged all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, religious leaders, community organizations, and government agencies, to work together in protecting children and creating a safer environment where every child can grow, learn, and thrive without fear. The former woman representative maintained that protecting children and safeguarding their future must remain a national priority.
By David Wandeto
