Investigation Stalls After Teen's Disappearance

A family in Nairobi's Dagoretti area is pleading for the safe return of their 13-year-old daughter, Rahab Njoki Njuguna, who has been missing for over a month. The Kirigu Primary School pupil was last seen on the afternoon of Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the Waterfront Mall in Karen. According to her mother, Njeri Ndung'u, Rahab had left her at church to join friends for an outing at the mall, a popular recreational spot for young people.

Security camera footage from the mall has provided the last known movements of the young girl. The video shows Rahab entering the mall in the company of another girl and a young man. Later, the group is joined by two more young men. After a brief conversation, Rahab is seen walking out of the mall alongside the same young man with whom she had arrived. This was her last confirmed sighting.

A Family's Desperate Search and Exploitation

In the weeks following her disappearance, Rahab's family has been living a nightmare. They promptly filed a missing person's report at the Karen Police Station, but they report that there has been no significant progress in the investigation. In a heart-wrenching appeal, Ms. Ndung'u has begged for her daughter's return. "Those young men who took my child should just bring her back, please, because that child is supposed to be in school. I am hurting so much as a parent," she stated in an interview on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

The family's distress has been compounded by cruel hoaxes. Ms. Ndung'u revealed they received a call from an unknown individual claiming to be a senior police officer, the OCPD of Kilgoris. This person falsely claimed to have rescued Rahab and extorted money from the family under the pretence of facilitating her return to Kabete Police Station. "We sent them money... but it was all a lie," a distraught Ms. Ndung'u recounted. A subsequent visit to the Kabete station confirmed their fears; the officers on duty had no knowledge of such a case.

Rising Concerns Over Child Safety in Kenya

Rahab's case casts a harsh spotlight on the broader issue of child safety and the rising instances of kidnappings and abductions in Kenya. A State of National Security report tabled in Parliament indicated a concerning 44 percent increase in such cases between September 2023 and August 2024. The report documented 52 kidnappings in that period, up from 36 in the preceding year, with incidents recorded across all eight regions of the country. Nairobi itself recorded five kidnapping cases during the period under review.

While stranger abductions are statistically less common than those involving acquaintances or family members, the vulnerability of children in public spaces like shopping malls remains a significant concern for parents and guardians. Security experts emphasize the importance of vigilance and preparedness. Malls, with their large crowds and multiple entry and exit points, can present challenges for security personnel and opportunities for criminals.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has previously urged parents to educate their children on basic safety measures and to report any suspicious activity immediately. However, the slow progress in cases like Rahab's has led to public frustration and calls for more decisive action from law enforcement agencies. Human rights groups have also raised alarms over a perceived increase in abductions, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reporting 82 cases between June and December 2024. While many of these have been linked to critics of the government, the overall trend contributes to a climate of fear and underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and more effective investigative protocols to protect all citizens, especially the most vulnerable.

As the search for Rahab Njoki Njuguna continues, her family holds onto hope for her safe return. Their plight is a stark reminder of the human cost behind the statistics and a call to action for communities and authorities to prioritize the safety and protection of children in Nairobi and across the nation. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.