By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
16 June 2026 - Concern has been raised over the increasing number of child trafficking cases in Garissa County, with reports indicating that some of the victims are being smuggled out of the country and ending up in Libya.
Speaking during the marking of Day of African child at Iftin primary school stakeholders including education officials and child rights activists called for stringent measures to curb the menace.
They said security agencies and relevant authorities should immediately work to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.
Nasteha Ali the sub-county education officer for Garissa sub-county said child trafficking is a concern to the education stakeholders and called on parents to be vigilant.
The recruiters she said target school going children luring them with better life in Europe but end up in Libya with the captors asking for huge ransom from their parents.
“This is very concerning to us, I want to ask all stakeholders including the police, the religious leaders, civil society and parents to be vigilant so that we protect our children,” she said.
The education officer who was the chief guest during the event appealed to school children who turned up for the event not to be lured for better life but concentrated on their studies urging them to report anyone trying to convince them to their teachers, police and education officials.
“No one loves you more than your parents, let no one lie to you that you will get work and get better life, you will work when you study hard and finish school,” she told the learners.
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Garissa sub-county administrator Shaiya Hambe said its heartbreaking for parents to see their children in a distressing situation after their videos are sent to them.
She called on the relevant security agencies to stay alert and ensure no child is trafficked.
Garissa County’s Children coordinator Benjamin Kinywa also urged children to report any suspicious person around to their teachers and parents.
There have been reports of child trafficking with at least three girls already trafficked with their families receiving calls of ransom.
All the three families have received distressing videos of the girls whose hands are tied between their backs and chained with padlocks.
Alarm Raised Over Rising Child Trafficking Cases in Garissa
Children have been cautioned to understand that no one loves them more than their own parents.