| Written by Faith Mwende |
A family in Murang’a y is living through every parent’s worst nightmare after their 15-year-old son went missing under unclear circumstances, and the school failed to notice for nearly three weeks.
The missing boy, Ian Gichagua Maingi, a Form Two student at Njumbi High School, was last seen in late September. According to his mother, Jennifer Muthoni, Ian was a bright, disciplined, and cheerful student known for his strong academic performance.
On 17th October 2025, Muthoni received a text message from the school informing parents that students would be released for the long December holidays. She was pleased, believing her son had completed the term successfully. The school even sent a follow-up message praising his performance.
However, when students were released the following morning, Ian never returned home.
Earlier in September, Muthoni had visited the school after hearing that students with outstanding fees might be sent home. She pleaded with the administration to allow her son to remain in school as she worked to clear the balance, and the request was granted. When she later learned that students had been sent home, she assumed Ian had been allowed to stay and continue studying.
Her concern grew when he failed to return on 18th October. Upon contacting the school, she was informed that students had already been released earlier that day. Later, Ian’s class teacher claimed that he had gone home weeks before due to school fees, but the principal denied issuing such an order.
This raised serious concerns, revealing that Ian had been missing for nearly three weeks without the school noticing.
A classmate told the family that Ian had mentioned feeling unwell and wanting to go home after church on Sunday, 28th September. His mother, however, stated that she never received any communication granting him permission to leave, and the school says it has no record of his departure.
The incident has been reported at Nyakianga Police Station under OB Number 13/19/10/2025 at 1511 hours.
Ian’s family is appealing to the public for assistance in tracing his whereabouts. Anyone with information is urged to contact David Maingi (Father): 0705 808 358, Beth (Sister): 0724 258 870, or report to Nyakianga Police Station or any nearby police post.
