This is Ian Gichagua Maingi, 15 years old, a Form 2 student at Njumbi High School, Ian who has been missing since 18th October and every day without him has been unbearable for his family.

Nothing seemed unusual until 17th October, when Ian’s mother, Jennifer Muthoni, received a text from the school saying students would be released for the long December holidays.

She was filled with pride and relief, happy that her son had completed the term well. The school even praised his performance in another message, giving her a moment of joy.

But when the students were released the next morning, Ian never came home. Earlier in September, Mama Ian had visited the school after hearing that students with school fees balances would be sent home.

She pleaded with the administration to allow her son to stay while she worked on clearing the fees. The school agreed, that was the last comfort she had before the nightmare began.
When she didn’t see Ian among those sent home for fees, she thought he was safe and studying.

But on 18th October, as other parents welcomed their children home, Mama Ian waited in vain. Calls to the school brought confusion and conflicting stories: a teacher said Ian had left hours earlier; his class teacher claimed he had gone home weeks ago due to school fees, while the principal denied ever sending him home.

The heartbreaking reality hit, her son had been missing for nearly three weeks and the school never noticed. A classmate said Ian had mentioned feeling unwell and wanting to go home after church on Sunday, 28th September.

But no leave-out message ever reached his mother, and the school has no record of how he left.

The family has now reported the matter at Nyakianga Police Station under OB Number 13/19/10/2025 at 1511 hours.

Every moment without Ian is a lifetime of fear, anxiety and grief. His parents, siblings and loved ones live in constant worry, praying for any sign that he is safe.