She Was Sent Home Over Her Hair and Skirt… Then Vanished Without a Trace
For nearly two weeks, a family in Murang’a County has lived through every parent’s worst nightmare.
Sixteen-year-old Yvonne Wanjiru, a Form Two student at St. Charles Lwanga High School, disappeared after being sent away from school over allegations that she had dyed her hair and was wearing a miniskirt.
Since then, no one has seen or heard from her.
What began as a routine return to school after the midterm break has turned into a desperate search spanning several counties, leaving her family clinging to hope that she will be found safe.
According to reports, Yvonne returned to school on June 30, 2025, ready to resume her studies. The following morning, school administrators reportedly ordered her to leave after accusing her of violating the school’s dress and grooming rules.
Her mother says she had pleaded with the school to wait until she could meet the administration before any action was taken. Unfortunately, by the time her message reached the school, Yvonne had already been dismissed.
The devastated mother believes the school made a serious mistake by releasing a minor without ensuring she was handed over to a parent or guardian.
“She should never have been allowed to leave the school alone,” she says, as she continues to search for answers.
The disappearance has now become a police investigation.
Murang’a County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo confirmed that detectives have questioned a man believed to have recently been in contact with the teenager. However, the interview yielded no clues about her whereabouts.
Officers have since searched hospitals and mortuaries across the region, but the teenager was not found.
With every lead exhausted, investigators have expanded the search to neighbouring counties and major public transport terminals, hoping someone may have seen her.
As each day passes without news, the family’s anxiety continues to grow.
Yvonne’s mother has made an emotional appeal to the public, asking anyone with information to come forward.
She refuses to give up hope.
“I believe my daughter is alive,” she says. “I just want her to come back home.”
Her disappearance has also sparked wider concern about the safety of students who are sent away from school without the knowledge or presence of their parents or guardians. Many are now questioning whether stronger safeguards should be in place to protect minors whenever disciplinary action requires them to leave school.
For Yvonne’s family, however, only one thing matters now: bringing their daughter home.
Anyone with information that could help locate Yvonne Wanjiru is urged to report it to the nearest police station or contact the authorities immediately.
Every piece of information, no matter how small, could help reunite a family that has spent nearly two weeks waiting, hoping, and praying.
