The nation is grieving. A child’s life has been taken. Patience Mumbe, only 12 years old, was last seen alive on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in Embakasi, Nairobi. Two days later, her lifeless body was discovered. A young life full of promise has been cut short, and a family, a community, and a country are left grappling with anguish and disbelief.
Her death is not only a tragedy—it is a warning. Embakasi Police Station has recorded four other cases of missing children in the last month alone. When a child cannot walk, play, or simply exist safely in her own neighbourhood, something fundamental in our social fabric is broken.
It is even more heart-breaking that this incident occurred during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign dedicated to preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls. The 16 days are meant to remind us of our collective responsibility to safeguard the vulnerable.
But as we mourn, we must also rise. We must ensure that no other girl suffers the same fate. We must confront the systems that failed Patience—and many others like her—and commit to building structures that protect every child, every girl, every person. This moment demands more than sympathy; it demands action, accountability, and sustained commitment.
We commend the media for keeping this story alive since it broke out. By airing and publishing this tragedy, journalists have ensured that our collective conscience remains awake, urging us to find lasting solutions and create safer communities for our children. Public awareness is a powerful tool, and the media plays a critical role in shaping national dialogue.
However, in carrying out its mandate to inform, the media must also reflect deeply on how it packages stories. A report by Citizen TV’s Ben Kirui last Tuesday illustrates this concern. Kirui stated that lead pathologist Grace Midigo had released findings on the cause of Patience’s death. Yet the clip did not include Midigo’s voice. Instead, Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, appeared on air discussing various aspects of the case, including the condition of Patience’s body.
Gender-based violence is undeniably a human rights issue, and Khalid has every right to speak on matters of justice and protection. However, commentary on autopsy results should be left to qualified experts. When non-experts speak on technical findings, even with good intentions, it risks misinforming the public and undermining the integrity of the story.
More diligence is required from media houses when assembling bulletins or publications. While diverse voices enrich a story, they must be the right voices—credible and relevant. Only then can stories carry the weight and authenticity they deserve.
One must also ask whether Khalid is the only advocate available to speak on human rights issues. Kenya has many capable voices. Relying on the same spokesperson repeatedly not only dulls public engagement but also reflects a lack of effort to broaden perspectives. Our media must strive for diversity, depth, and responsibility.
Patience deserved safety. She deserved a future. The least we can do now is honour her by demanding better—from our systems, our institutions, and ourselves.
