Estates where your child could be snatched
Seven Nairobi estates have been identified child kidnapping hotspots.
They are Umoja, Dandora, Mathare, Kibera, Kayole, Kariobangi and Embakasi.
Other risky places are Odeon, Ambassadeur, Kencom, Railways, Globe Cinema, OTC and Machakos Country Bus station.
Fuelling police car
“They are the places where your child could be snatched,” said Mr Michael Opondo, a children’s officer.
Dozens of children have disappeared with some never being found, he added.
“Child trafficking and prostitution are rampant in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Malindi,” he said.
Mr Nobert Ouma of Kariobangi whose son Brandon Odhiambo, 4, vanished at the end of last year, said he learnt he had been taken to Mombasa.
“The woman who took him was living around Korogocho at the time. It was her husband who reported to the authorities,” said Mr Ouma.
He said the husband told the area chief that she was connected to a cartel in Mombasa involved in the business.
“The officers at Kariobangi Police Station told me to fuel their vehicle to facilitate tracing of the child but I did not have the money,” said Mr Ouma.
He gave NairobiNews a mobile phone number he said belonged to the woman. It was answered by a woman who said she was the owner’s aunt.
She introduced herself as Priscah Khapoya of Eldoret and said the owner of the phone died recently after being attacked on her way to work.
“Her husband was threatening and accusing her of many things, including stealing children,” said Ms Khapoya.