This archive report was first published on 14 January 2020.
Published on January 14, 2020
A 14-year-old student from AIC Kipkeikei Secondary School in Trans Nzoia has gone missing after being booked into a lodge in Kisumu by a pharmacist.
Gladys Chepkoech, a Form Two student, left her home in Chiga, Kisumu County, on January 5 to visit her aunt in Kitale but never reached her destination.
According to her family, Gladys was last seen in the company of a pharmacist at a local bar on the day she disappeared.
The pharmacist, who works at St Elizabeth hospital in Chiga, reportedly met Gladys for the first time when she sought treatment for a menstrual condition in December last year.
Investigations indicate that the medic had contacted the minor on a number of occasions on the family mobile phone and even sent her a message on New Year's Day.
Despite the suspect admitting to booking Gladys into a lodge, police officers released him from custody without preferring any charges against him.
Area OCPD Ezekiel Sing'oi claimed they were still investigating the matter, but the suspect was seen going about his duties as usual at the health centre where he works.
The girl's parents said they have been having sleepless nights since their daughter went missing.
"She left home at around mid-day and we expected her to reach her aunt's home in Kitale that evening," said the father.
