“I talked to my grandson on October 1 when he was requesting money from me, and I have not heard from him since,” says Mr. Francis Tumbo during a phone interview with Mtaa Wangu.

The disappearance of 16-year-old Ibrahim Kiprotich Kibet has left his family in distress after he mysteriously left school in Elgeyo Marakwet on September 30.

According to his grandfather, Kibet called him using an unknown number on October 1 at around 7 a.m., requesting Sh. 2,000, claiming it was needed for his CRE subject, and was reluctant to disclose his whereabouts, not mentioning he was outside the school

"Because I am not accustomed to sending money casually, I told him I would first consult with his class teacher," explains Tumbo. "When he insisted I send the money to the new phone number, I simply said I would- that was the last time we spoke."

Kibet, a form three student at Kipsoen Boys High School, is reported to have left the school premises at around 11 a.m. on September 30 after a ‘meeting’ with the Deputy Principal, regarding some allegedly missing kitchen keys, following accusations from some students that he had stolen them.

“I am unsure of the altercation that went on between my boy and the school administration that made him so afraid, warranting him to leave school immediately,” says Kibet’s grandfather.

Suspicious of the phone call, Tumbo called Kibet’s class teacher on October 1 at around midday to ask about his whereabouts, to which the class teacher then confirmed he was missing and said that they, too, were waiting for his return before reporting the matter to the police.

The class teacher asked Kibet’s grandfather to inform him that he could return to school, as the key had been found and he was no longer in trouble. However, by this time, Ibrahim had already been reported missing.

“Later on in the day, between 2 and 3 p.m. I decided to call the number that Kibet had earlier reached out to me with. The respondent identified himself as a driver for Mololine, operating on the Nakuru-Kabarnet route, and confirmed transporting Kibet to Nakuru, where he reportedly alighted and disappeared without company,” says Tumbo.

Kibet was last seen wearing part of his school uniform- black trousers, a black jumper, and black shoes.

The family has filed missing person reports at multiple police stations, including Iten Police Station in Elgeyo Marakwet, Central, Kaptembwa, and Bondeni Police Stations in Nakuru, as well as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Nakuru.

They have also searched hospitals and morgues in the area, including Nakuru PGH, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, and their respective morgues.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Ibrahim Kibet, please get in touch with the police stations mentioned earlier or call 0722422059.

Form three student goes missing amidst accusation of stealing kitchen keys

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Leleti Jassor