Family Kitale: Have You Seen Centrine Juma?

A Kitale family is distraught over the disappearance of a relative who went missing a month ago from an Eldoret college.

Centrine Juma, a first-year student at Kitale National Polytechnic in Trans Nzoia County, has been missing for several days.

Her phone was last tracked to Eldoret before it was cut off, according to her family, who recalled her final moments.

Celestin Juma, her older sister, said the incident was reported to the Kitale Police Station four weeks ago.
“It’s been a month since she went missing, and we still don’t know where she is. We don’t make any predictions as a family “Celestine remarked.

Her mother, Phyllis Juma, a resident of Kibagenge in Waitaluk ward, spoke separately.Her mother, Phyllis Juma, a resident of Kibagenge in Waitaluk ward, said her daughter left their home on May 10 to go to school.

“She said she’d go to the salon first before going to school.” She had planned to enroll in her course before the start of the new academic year.

She had even brought a few clothing with her because we expected her to return home, but she did not,” she stated.

Ms Juma claimed she contacted her number after two days but it was unanswered.

“After a week, she texted me to tell that she was safe and that she was pursuing her passion for art. She never responded to my inquiries concerning her whereabouts.

When her brother texted her, she assured him that she was safe and that she was working as a model “”Says the distressed mother.”

The phone of the 20-year-old was tracked to Kapsoya, Eldoret, but it was turned off after two days.
According to Kitale National Polytechnic Principal John Otieno Akola, the sixth-born of a family of ten enrolled as an artisan at the school.

“The program lasts a year. She finished her exams in July of last year and has not returned to school since. This, I believe, is why parents have been hesitant to visit the school “he stated

The principal also revealed that he had spoken with her father and her department, both of whom notified him that she had not returned for her certificate after finishing her tests.

“However, the truth is that this is a former student,” the principal stated, promising to provide more information later.

When contacted for comment, Francis Kihara, the Trans Nzoia County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO), stated his investigators were looking into the situation.
Mr Kihara replied, “We are aware of this specific matter, and I can guarantee you that we are looking into it.”

Centrine’s story comes as Kenya has seen a spike in abductions, with the majority of them ending in death.

Her family is urging anyone with information that could assist the authorities in locating her to contact the nearest police station.