In Kenya, Facebook and Instagram create AMBER notifications to assist in the search for missing children.

Kenya has taken a significant stride in bolstering child safety with the introduction of AMBER Alerts via Facebook and Instagram, marking its entry as the fourth African nation to adopt the program, following South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, unveiled an in-app Amber Alert system designed to swiftly disseminate information about missing children, empowering users to share alerts and contribute to search efforts.

The launch, which occurred on March 18, 2024, in collaboration with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Anti-Human Trafficking & Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU) and Missing Child Kenya, aims to enhance the quest for missing children by raising public awareness and involvement.

Emily Vacher, Director of Trust and Safety at Meta, underscored the crucial role of community engagement in locating missing children, particularly within the critical initial hours.

She outlined that when law enforcement triggers an AMBER Alert in the designated search area, users in that vicinity will receive alerts on their Facebook and Instagram feeds.

“These alerts will provide crucial information about the missing child, including a photo, description, abduction location, and any other relevant details. Users can also share the alert with their networks to amplify search efforts,” she explained.

Raymond Omollo, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, noted the challenges of traditional methods for reporting lost children.

“Incorporating technology will enable individuals to swiftly locate and report instances of missing children. This initiative complements existing reporting methods. Given the widespread access to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, it empowers online users not only to block unwanted messages but also to report them,” he stated.

Maryana Munyendo, Founder/CEO of Missing Child Kenya, underscored the importance of leveraging technological advancements for timely reporting and information sharing in finding missing children.

“With technological advances, the global village is now borderless and digital. The launch of the AMBER Alert, known as the ‘Kenya Emergency Child Alert’ program on Facebook and Instagram, will enhance data sharing, provision of information, and prompt reporting of missing children in Kenya. We are proud to be part of this initiative advocating for Better Data – Better Lives,” she said.

Mr. Mohammed Amin, Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Meta, highlighting the role of increased public vigilance in addressing missing child cases.

“This initiative will enable a quicker response in locating missing children by engaging more people to be vigilant and report any leads to the appropriate authorities. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) values this partnership with Meta, and we are eager to collaborate to help find missing children in Kenya,” he emphasized.