This archive report was first published on 26 July 2021.
The disappearance of Dennis Kariuki in 2014 has left his family in agony, with his parents, Patrick Weru and Perris Wangui, searching for him for seven years.
Weru and Wangui have visited all the police stations, prisons, hospitals, and mortuaries in Kirinyaga County, but there is no trace of their son.
They have also endured unfulfilled promises from friends who pledged to help in the search and being turned away by law enforcers due to their persistence in seeking help.
Weru recalls that Kariuki was a casual laborer at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme and would often visit his family on weekends.
However, Kariuki's life took a turn for the worse when his wife of three years ran away, leaving him heartbroken.
Weru says that Kariuki blamed them for allowing his wife to take their son to an unknown place within the city, which marked the beginning of an unhealthy relationship between them and their son.
“Maybe he was extremely angered by our decision to allow our daughter-in-law take their son with her, and that’s why he ran away,” Weru said.
Despite the pain and suffering they have endured, Weru and Wangui remain hopeful that Kariuki will one day return home.
They are pleading with Kenyans who may have seen Kariuki or know his whereabouts to contact his father Patrick Weru via 0727 342 317.
By Irungu Mwangi
