The Ministry of Interior in collaboration with Meta has officially introduced the Amber Alerts program, now known as the Kenya Emergency Child Alert (KECA), aimed at aiding in the search for missing children. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo presided over the launch, emphasizing the critical role of technology in child protection.
PS Omollo highlighted, “The partnership with Meta and key government agencies like the DCI and Missing Child Kenya underscores our commitment to leveraging innovative solutions to enhance child safety.”
The Meta Amber Alerts, tailored for specific search areas, utilize signals and location services to notify users within the vicinity of an ongoing search for a missing child. The alerts, integrated with Facebook and Instagram, provide essential details such as photos, descriptions, and abduction locations to mobilize community support in locating missing children.
The Missing Child Kenya Foundation emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “Increased vigilance in the initial hours significantly boosts the chances of finding missing children.”
With Kenya joining as the 34th country globally and the third in Africa to implement this technology, the initiative marks a crucial step towards leveraging digital tools to safeguard vulnerable children. South Africa and Nigeria have also embraced this innovative approach, with Kenya now at the forefront of utilizing technology to address child protection concerns.