Report child abuse or neglect (Child Helpline 116)
State Department for Children Services · sources read 30 Sep 2026
Call 116, free and open 24 hours, to report a child who is being abused, neglected or is unsafe. You can also walk into your nearest Sub-County Children's Office. No documents are needed.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- Calls to 116 get an immediate response; walk-in and email reports within about 20 minutes
- Where
- Call 116 (free, 24 hours), or visit a Sub-County Children's Office (there are 407 across the country)
What you need
- No documents needed. It helps to share the child's name, age, location, what happened, and your phone number.
Steps
- Call 116. It is free from any supported network, 24 hours a day, and confidential.
- Tell them the child's name, age, where the child is, and what happened, plus how to reach you.
- The report is assessed. If the child is in immediate danger, protection action is taken first, then the child is referred for medical, legal or counselling help.
- You can also report by walking into a Children's Office, by email or by letter. All channels are free.
Watch out
- If a child is at risk of harm, protecting the child comes before any family talks or mediation.
- If a child is missing, report to the nearest police station straight away to get an OB number. There is no waiting period.
- No child is denied emergency protection for lack of documents, or because of age, sex, disability, religion or ethnicity.
Who can apply
- Anyone: the child, a parent, teacher, neighbour, institution or any community member
Official sources (3)
- Services childrenservices.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Service Charter childrenservices.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Child Protection childrenservices.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026