A family in Bureti, Kericho County, is living through agonising uncertainty after a young girl, Maureen Chepkoech, mysteriously disappeared from home, leaving behind a brief note and a trail of unanswered questions.
Maureen had recently been admitted to Litein Mission Hospital from Tuesday, September 25—the same day she was expected to report back to school. She was discharged on Friday and returned home, appearing to be well.
According to her family, everything seemed normal until Tuesday morning when her mother left home for school.
At the time, Maureen was reportedly the only person at home.
Shortly afterwards, she allegedly wrote a note before leaving the house. What happened next remains unclear, and the family has been desperately trying to piece together her final known movements.
One of Maureen’s cousins later reported seeing her along Tebesonik Road near the factory, carrying a carrier bag.
The cousin approached her and asked where she was headed. Maureen reportedly responded that she had been sent to deliver some items.
That brief encounter would become one of the last confirmed sightings of the young girl.
Another cousin later said they saw Maureen at Barabara, where she appeared to be trying to stop a boda boda.
The motorcycle was reportedly carrying a woman, but the cousin could not identify either the rider or the passenger. From that moment, Maureen’s trail appears to have gone cold.
Concern quickly turned into panic when the family realised she was missing.
Her mother reported the disappearance on Wednesday morning at Cheborgei Police Station and was subsequently referred to Tebesonik as efforts to establish Maureen’s whereabouts intensified.
However, the family says they have yet to receive any concrete information about her location. Attempts to reach the area chief have also reportedly been unsuccessful, adding to the family’s distress.
With every passing hour deepening their fears, Maureen’s relatives are now appealing to members of the public to help bring her home.
Her sister, Chepngetich Rop, says the family is struggling to handle the situation on their own and urgently needs the public’s assistance.
“This matter has become extremely stressful and is beyond what we can handle on our own. We are therefore kindly asking for your help in tracing our small sister, Maureen Chepkoech,” she appealed.
The family is urging anyone who may have seen Maureen, spoken to her, travelled with her, or received any information about her whereabouts to come forward.
They are particularly appealing to anyone who may have been around Tebesonik Road, the factory area, Barabara, or nearby areas around the time of her disappearance.
Any information, however insignificant it may appear, could prove crucial in tracing her.
The family is now holding on to hope and prayer that Maureen is safe and will soon be reunited with her loved ones.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Maureen’s family or report immediately to the nearest police station.
The family is also appealing to the public to share the missing-person message widely. One share, one phone call or one small piece of information could be the breakthrough that brings Maureen home.
