Police in Eldoret have traced more than 22 children who had gone missing within the last one month.
Most of the children from Langas estate in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu county had been reported as missing at various police stations in the area but an operation by the security teams traced them.
Kapseret OCPD Sarah Chumo said 12 of the children were handed over to their parents while another 10 were taken to the county rescue centre.
“We still have three who are missing and we have circulated the information so that we can work with the public in tracing them,” Chumo said.
Speaking in her office, Chumo blamed some parents for neglecting their children especially within the slum areas of Langas, causing them to loiter around as they struggle to survive without care.
“We have established that some of the parents engage in alcoholism and neglect their children. When we trace such children who have no care we usually take them to the rescue centre for proper care until their welfare is guaranteed,”she said.
The police boss said some of the children in the slum areas were neglected, had no food or any other form of care causing them to stray away from their parents.
She said parents who neglect their children ideally should to be charged in court, however, they are working with local communities to ensure parents take up their responsibilities.
“We have taken some of the parents to court but in some cases we work with local communities to follow up and ensure care for their children,” Chumo said.
The police boss said they also work closely with the children’s department to asses minors who are taken to the rescue centres.
She spoke as a three-and-half-year-old girl from the same area was abducted by unknown people three days ago.
Her mother said the child had left the house for a nearby shop where she usually plays with others but she was later discovered missing.
Another child who witnessed the incident said he saw a man offering a sweat to the child and later carried her away.
“We have searched for her all over but we are unable to trace her. We are urging the government to help us find my daughter,” the mother said.
She said the disappearance of many children in the area was a worrying trend which should be stopped by security agencies through apprehending those involved.