Mombasa:Growing concern over the increase in missing and abducted children in Kenya has led to calls for schools and parents to adopt tracking technology to enhance the safety of learners. This appeal was made during the launch of a child-safety technology platform at Elimu ya Kenya School in Utange, Mombasa County, which integrates QR code and GPS-based innovations to protect children.
According to Kenya News Agency, government data from May 2026 revealed that 1,952 child abduction cases and 1,636 missing-child cases were reported between January 2025 and March 2026. This troubling trend has motivated technology firms to develop digital tools for integration into existing child-protection systems, particularly during school transport, trips, and sporting activities.
One such innovation is the AfriCode Pro Emergency QR, a platform enabling users to attach a QR code sticker to personal items like school bags and helmets. In emergencies, anyone can scan the code with a smartphone to contact a designated individual, without revealing the owner’s phone number.
AfriCode Pro promoter and owner Rangesh Nallan, from the United Kingdom, explained during the launch that the technology leverages Africa’s increasing smartphone usage and provides opportunities for youth participation in the digital economy. The platform also aims to support charities, schools, and community organizations in fundraising and emergency response.
Chief Technical Director Demola Ladepo highlighted that once configured with personal details and emergency contacts, the QR code allows individuals who scan it to alert the owner or their emergency contact, along with the exact scan location. Ladepo emphasized the importance of quick action in emergencies, stating, “Every second can save lives.”
AfriCode Kenya agent Joseph Muya noted the technology’s potential to improve the safety of schoolchildren during trips and off-campus activities. Parents can use an Emergency QR sticker on a child’s bag to enable quick contact with a parent or guardian.
In addition to QR technology, there are proposals for GPS-enabled wristbands and bag-mounted devices to track children’s movements between home and school and aid in locating them during emergencies. However, stakeholders emphasize that such technology should complement rather than replace traditional safety measures, such as secure school gates, visitor verification, trained security personnel, and accurate transport records. There are also concerns about safeguarding children’s personal and location data, prompting calls for clear regulations on data access and storage.
Promoters are seeking partnerships with schools, insurance firms, charities, and organizations to explore how this technology can enhance existing child-protection and emergency-response systems in the country. Muya noted that while the technology could provide added protection, its success depends on responsible implementation alongside established safety measures.
