What to do if you find an abandoned baby
Births and Deaths Registration Act; Children Act 2022 · sources read 5 Oct 2026
If you find an abandoned newborn, report it straight away to the nearest police station, the children's office or the free 116 helpline. The law also says whoever finds the baby must give the local births registrar any details they have within 7 days.
- Deadline
- 7 days from finding the baby to give the registrar the details you have.
- Where
- Nearest police station, Sub-County Children's Office, or Child Helpline 116 (free, 24 hours)
Steps
- Report the baby immediately at the nearest police station and get an OB (Occurrence Book) number.
- Call the Child Helpline 116. It is free and open 24 hours.
- You can also report to the nearest authorised officer, such as a police officer, chief or children's officer, who takes steps to get a court order for the baby's care in a place of safety.
- Within 7 days, give the births registrar for the area where you found the baby whatever details you know about the birth.
Watch out
- Anyone who believes a child needs care and protection must keep the child safe and get them to a place of safety, apart from children held for offences, until a court decides.
- No place of safety may turn away a child in need of care and protection.
- A parent or carer who abandons a child commits an offence: up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to KSh 500,000, or both.
Who this covers
- Anyone who finds a living newborn left exposed, and anyone the baby is then handed to.
- An abandoned child counts in law as a child in need of care and protection.
Official sources (3)
- Births and Deaths Registration Act (Cap. 149), version of 10 March 2026 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Children Act, 2022 (No. 29 of 2022), Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 119 judiciary.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Services childrenservices.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026