Missing 3-Year-Old Rescued at Hororo Border, Suspect Arrested

 A three-year-old boy who was reported missing in Malindi on February 13, 2026, has been safely rescued at the Hororo border while a suspect allegedly attempted to smuggle him out of the country into Tanzania.

The dramatic rescue followed a swift multi-agency operation involving detectives from Malindi and Lunga Lunga, working in collaboration with Tanzanian authorities. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Ugandan national Arnold Ethan, was arrested at the border in what police described as a timely intervention that prevented a potentially tragic outcome.

According to police reports, the child’s mother, a resident of Malindi Central Area, raised the alarm at around 6:00 p.m. after discovering that her son had disappeared while she was at work. The sudden disappearance prompted immediate investigations by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who operates a nail parlour near the child’s parents’ shop, had been seen calling the young boy shortly before he went missing. Witnesses indicated that the child, unaware of any danger, followed the suspect. From that moment, he vanished without a trace.

Detectives launched an intensive manhunt, utilizing forensic leads and intelligence-sharing across counties to track the suspect’s movements. Their efforts led them to the Hororo border, where the suspect was intercepted as he allegedly attempted to cross into Tanzania with the child.

Authorities confirmed that the boy was found traumatized but alive. Both the suspect and the child were handed over to Kenyan border police officials before being escorted back to Malindi.

Upon arrival, the young boy was joyfully reunited with his relieved parents before being rushed to Malindi Sub-County Hospital for a medical examination to assess his condition.

Meanwhile, the suspect is being held at Malindi Police Station as investigations continue. Police say he is undergoing processing and will be arraigned in court once inquiries are complete.

Security agencies have commended the swift coordination between Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities, emphasizing the importance of cross-border cooperation in combating child abduction and trafficking.

Police have also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior promptly, reiterating their commitment to protecting children and ensuring those involved in criminal activities face the full force of the law.