Family in agony over missing toddler

A family in Bungoma is in agony after their daughter was stolen from home one week ago.

The one-year-old girl was taken from her bed while she was sleeping by an unknown woman, her mother said.

The mother of the girl said she left her two children asleep early morning to go an buy milk for breakfast.

When she returned, she found the door to her house ajar. When she checked the bedroom, she found her daughter was missing, but her youngest child was fast asleep.

The mother said neighbours saw a woman carrying what appeared to be like a child on her back heading to the main bus terminus.

The neighbours said they could not identify the woman and the child because she had covered her face and also covered the baby in a maasai shuka.

Police say they are investigating the incident and suspect a child trafficking ring that is operating in Kitale, Webuye and Eldoret.

"Our officers have launched a manhunt against the child trafficking syndicate. We are pursuing crucial leads that will lead to their arrest," Bungoma East sub-county police boss Valerian Obare said.

He urged anyone with information about the syndicate to share with police.

At the same time, the father of the missing girl said following the disappearance of his daughter unknown people tried to defraud the family claiming they have information about the whereabouts of the baby.

The fraudster demanded Sh5,000 for fuel to help us get back the girl.

The father said the man said he was a senior police officer at Malava Police Station.

The couple went to the police station but officers said they are not aware of such an incident.