This archive report was first published on 16 November 2019.
On 15 November 2019, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrested senior army officer Peter Mugure in Nanyuki, Kenya.
Mugure, based at the Nanyuki barracks, was arrested over the disappearance of his estranged lover, Joyce Syombua, 31, and their two children, Shanice (10) and Prince Michael (5), who went missing three weeks ago after visiting him.
Laikipia East Criminal Investigations Officer Jacob Muriithi confirmed the arrest, stating that investigations were underway and the suspect would be taken to court on Monday, 18 November 2019.
According to reports, the relationship between Syombua and Mugure had been on and off.
On 25 October 2019, Syombua left her home in Kayole to visit Mugure, who had requested to spend time with their children during the holidays.
She arrived safely and was in constant communication with her childhood friend, Syombua Kateng'u, before disappearing on 26 October 2019.
Kateng'u recounted that Syombua texted her at around 8am, informing her that Mugure had left with the children while she was in the bathroom.
However, when Syombua came out of the bathroom, she did not find Mugure and the children. Mugure later told Syombua that he had left the children at a friend's house, claiming they needed privacy to iron out their differences.
The last update Syombua received from her friend was at 7 PM, when she informed her that Mugure had stepped out. Shortly afterwards, Syombua's phone went off, and it is at this point that Kateng'u contacted the suspect, who told her that he had escorted Syombua and her children to board a matatu back to Nairobi that night.
