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Brenda Wairimu calls for national alert system to help find missing children faster
26th May, 2026 12:57 AM
Actress Brenda Wairimu has called for urgent reforms to the way missing-child cases are handled in Kenya, urging authorities to introduce a national alert system to speed up search efforts.
On Monday, May 26, 2026, she made the remarks on International Missing Children’s Day, highlighting the pain many families are going through.
Wairimu said that hundreds of families in the country are currently living in distress as they search for their missing children. She explained that the issue is not just personal but a national crisis that needs immediate and structured action.
“Today is International Missing Children’s Day. In Kenya, hundreds of families are living in agony, searching for their missing daughters and sons,” Brenda Wairimu said.
She further stressed that a child going missing should never be treated as a normal family matter that can wait. According to her, delays in response only make the situation more painful and harder to resolve.
“A child going missing is not just a family tragedy, it is a national crisis that demands urgent, systemic action,” she added.
Call for faster response systems
Wairimu urged authorities to stop waiting before starting investigations when a child is reported missing. She said that immediate action is necessary to increase the chances of finding children safely.
She proposed the creation of a national alert system that would send instant messages and media broadcasts as soon as a child is reported missing. According to her, this would help spread information quickly to the public.
“Establish a National Amber Alert System: Implement instant, automated SMS and media broadcasts the moment a child is reported missing,” she stated.
Wairimu also called for the removal of the 24-hour waiting rule in missing child cases. She explained that police stations should begin search operations immediately without delay.
“Scrap the 24-Hour Waiting Rule. Mandate police stations nationwide to initiate immediate search operations for minors without delay,” she added.
She further suggested the formation of dedicated missing child units within the police service. These units, she said, should be trained and equipped to handle such cases quickly and effectively.
Wairimu also pushed for improved surveillance systems across the country. She proposed the installation of CCTV networks in public transport areas, schools, and major cities to help track movements and improve investigations.
