Who is stealing our children? What is the state of security and safety in our country? Kenyans online have joined in the campaign to look for a girl who has been reported missing since last month.
A 13 year old Isabellah Boyani “Bell-ah” was last seen on 17th September 2018 at her school in Kenyanya, Kisii County, after being sent for school fees.
Her home area is in Botori, Kisii County. She is a form 1 student at Nyakoiba High School. She was last seen wearing a brown sweater & skirt and white shirt (School uniform).
A report has been made at Kisii Police Station 0B NO. 3911211012018. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the police on the numbers on the poster.
The rate of children ‘missing’ reports in the country is on the rise and this is quite alarming. Parents have been advised to ensure that their children are safe at all times and they know about their children where abouts.
MISSING CHILD ALERT – Kenyanya, Kisii. Isabellah Boyani Kombo “Bellah”(13.7 yrs) was last seen on 17 September 2018. Please share alert to help her family find her. Thank you. #MissingChildKE @radiomaisha @PhilipOgola @KenyanTraffic pic.twitter.com/FI7jexugH8 via @missingchild_ke
— KenyanTraffic (@KenyanTraffic) November 30, 2018
There are quite a number of cases of missing children in Kenya. According to the 2017 National Crime Research report on kidnapping (PDF), most victims of kidnappings are children and juveniles below 18 years old.
The report further indicated that the most kidnappers are strangers, followed closely by acquaintances of the victims. Also mentioned were family members, who usually engineer the kidnapping process.
Kidnappers consider this category quite vulnerable and easy target.
Keeping your child safe and protected from potential abductors is a priority, but also is knowing what to do when a child is missing.
Here are some of the steps to take when your child goes missing
- Report to the police immediately
- Create awareness in the environment
- Share the news online