A family at Kialegee village, Waitaluk ward in Trans Nzoia County is in agony following mysterious disappearance of their daughter, a 20-year-old student.
The whereabouts of Centrine Juma, 20 years and a first year student at Kitale National Polytechnic, is unknown since she was last seen in Eldoret town.
Speaking to the Media in Kitale town Monday, the family members claimed Centrine’s mobile phone devise was last tracked in Eldoret Town before it was permanently switched off.
According to the elder sister, Celestine Juma, the case was reported at Kitale police station headquarters about four weeks ago.
“It’s now a month since our sister went missing. As a family we are spending sleepless nights over this disturbing incident,” said Celestine.
Mrs. Phyllis Juma, the mother, disclosed to journalists that her daughter had left home on May 10 for college to register for the new semester.
“Before leaving she informed us that she was to go to salon before proceeding to school where she was to register for a new semester and return home. However, that was not the case,” explained the distraught mother.
Two days later, the mother made several unanswered calls to the daughter’s mobile phone.
“A week later, she sent me a text message, saying she was in a modelling class at the time,” added the mother.
According to the family who had reported the incident to the nearest police station, the lady’s mobile phone was tracked at Kapsoya estate within Eldoret town. However, two days later the phone went permanently off.
However, the institution’s Principal Mr. John Otieno Akola gave a slightly different account of the incident when he spoke to KNA Monday morning in his office.
According to Akola, the girl was indeed at the college for an artisan course that lasted for one year.
“The course lasts one year. According to records, Centrine Juma completed her course and in fact sat for exams in July last year,” revealed Akola, adding the student was yet to collect her artisan course certificate.
“The truth of the matter this is our former student,” stated the Principal.
Following this incident, the Principal has asked parents and guardians with children in post-secondary institutions to keenly follow their academic progress to avoid falling victims of deception.
“It is clear Centrine has been lying to the parents that she is in college, which is not the case,” observed Akola who warned students against exploiting parents’ ignorance to engage in immoral activities under the guise of schooling.
When reached for comment, Trans Nzoia County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Francis Kihara said that his officers had launched a probe into the matter.
“We are aware of this particular case. We are investigating it,” confirmed Kihara.
