By Naftal Makori
A boy, 9, who reportedly went missing in Nairobi in May was found in Nyamira County, but bearing different name.
Two people, a man and woman, have since been arrested over his disappearance. Initial police investigations indicate that the suspects could be part of a child trafficking syndicate with a network across Nairobi, Nyamira and Kakamega counties.
The suspects allegedly changed the boy’s name before enrolling him at a private school in Tombe shopping centre.
The minor told detectives that at one point, he was taken to Kakamega where several other children who couldn’t trace their parents were kept.
The suspects were arrested after the Standard Two minor reported the matter to a local chief who tipped Manga District Administration Police officers. Accompanied by Manga District Children’s Officer Mark Keya, the officers tracked the suspects and arrested them.
Pleaded with officers
The suspects denied they stole the child. The woman said a relative, who resides in Nairobi, brought the boy to her and after a while, she let him stay at the man’s home.
But the man maintained innocence, saying he did not know that the child was stolen.
“He was brought home by my wife. I don’t know anything,” the man pleaded with police officers. His wife is yet to be arrested.
Keya alleged the man was last year charged in court over similar allegations involving two other children but the case was struck out of court for lack of sufficient evidence.
Manga DO Martin Talian, AP Commandant Gabriel Watua and Kemera divisional AP Commandant Samuel Kirui accompanied Keya.
The child officer said relevant offices in Nairobi have been informed about the matter and plans were underway to reunite the boy with his parents.
Watua confirmed that the suspects were taken to Nyamira Police Station and expressed optimism that they will help in unmasking the child trafficking syndicate.
