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Family in distress after kin goes missing in Kirinyaga

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When a loved one goes missing, a family’s world stops. Days blur into nights, hope wavers, and every ring of the phone carries both fear and possibility. This is the reality that the family of Samuel Macharia, who was 29 years old at the time of his disappearance and is now 31, has been forced to live with since March 14th, 2024. For his brother, Ezra Munyua, the ache is constant, but so is the determination to keep searching.

“We are devastated to the point of giving up, but I refuse to lose hope. My brother has a four-year-old son who deserves to grow up knowing his father,” Ezra says, holding on to the belief that Samuel is somewhere, waiting to be found.

On the day he disappeared, Samuel had just returned home from Nairobi and was working on his portion of the family land. After a long, tiring day at the shamba, he was dressed casually, a half sweater, tracksuit pants, and floaters sandals, his clothes still dusty from farm work. In the afternoon, after lunch, he stepped out briefly to buy something from a nearby shop, a distance so short and familiar that he didn’t carry any of his belongings.

He left behind everything: his identification documents, his kabambe phone, and every personal item he owned.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, suggested he was planning to travel or stay away. Ezra recalls that there was no conflict, no tension, and no unusual conversations in the days leading up to his disappearance. “There was no bad blood with anyone. Everything was normal. Then… he just didn’t come back.”

In the months and now years that have followed, the family has searched everywhere imaginable. They have reported the case to DCI, visited hospitals and morgues, made radio announcements, and appealed to neighbours and community members. Each lead has ended in silence, each day a reminder of how fragile hope can feel. Yet Ezra insists they will not give up the search.

What he now wants most is for Kenyans to stand with them. His plea is heartfelt and urgent: help amplify Samuel’s story.

“Please, help us share Samuel’s poster. Help us reach more people. You never know who might have seen something,” he says.

This plea is not just about awareness, it is about keeping hope alive for a son who still asks for his father, and a family longing for even the smallest clue.

Samuel Macharia, born on 10th October 1994, is now 31 years old. He is of brown complexion and speaks Kikuyu, Swahili, and English. He was last seen in Kagio, Kirinyaga, after leaving for a nearby shop on March 14th, 2024, wearing casual home clothing.

Anyone with information, no matter how small or uncertain it may seem, is urged to contact the family on 0789 547 995, 0723 536 798, or 0721 566 227, or report to the nearest police station.

As Ezra says, “We beg anyone who sees this, help us spread the word. Help us bring Samuel home.”

Parents Magazine stands in solidarity with the family and calls on all Kenyans to share his story widely. Hope lives when a nation chooses to care.

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Cover Story

Heartbreak as Body of 12-Year-Old Blessed Claire Muthoni Arrives Home from India

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Kenyans are mourning the loss of Blessed Claire Muthoni, a brave 12-year-old girl from Kihuri in Othaya, Nyeri County, who passed away while undergoing specialised cancer treatment in New Delhi. Claire had been fighting stage 4 cancer for over three years.

The aggressive disease took a heavy toll on her young body, eventually leading to the amputation of one of her legs. Despite the pain and the many challenges she faced, Claire remained hopeful and courageous throughout her journey, inspiring many who followed her story.

On January 19, 2026, she travelled to India with her mother in search of advanced treatment aimed at saving her remaining leg and managing the cancer that had spread to her lungs. The journey was filled with hope, supported by Kenyans from all walks of life who contributed towards her treatment and kept her in their prayers.

A brave fight

While in India, Claire underwent several chemotherapy sessions. Unfortunately, her condition worsened after developing complications, leading to her admission to the Intensive Care Unit. She passed away in hospital last week, leaving behind a grieving family and a nation that had stood with her.

On Monday, March 30, 2026, her remains arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The atmosphere at the airport was filled with grief as family members, friends and well-wishers gathered to receive her. Her mother returned home alone, carrying a loss no parent should have to endure.

Claire will be laid to rest in her home area of Othaya in the coming days, as her family begins the difficult process of saying their final goodbyes.

Her story touched thousands across the country, many of whom followed her journey through updates and fundraising efforts. She became a symbol of strength and resilience, and her passing has deeply affected those who had hoped to see her recover.

Beyond the grief, her story has once again brought attention to the challenges families face when dealing with childhood cancer in Kenya. The high cost of specialised treatment, limited access to advanced care locally, and the emotional and financial strain on families often force many to seek treatment abroad.

Read our March issue here 

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Cover Story

Heartbreak as Body of 12-Year-Old Blessed Claire Muthoni Arrives Home from India

Published

on

Kenyans are mourning the loss of Blessed Claire Muthoni, a brave 12-year-old girl from Kihuri in Othaya, Nyeri County, who passed away while undergoing specialised cancer treatment in New Delhi. Claire had been fighting stage 4 cancer for over three years.

The aggressive disease took a heavy toll on her young body, eventually leading to the amputation of one of her legs. Despite the pain and the many challenges she faced, Claire remained hopeful and courageous throughout her journey, inspiring many who followed her story.

On January 19, 2026, she travelled to India with her mother in search of advanced treatment aimed at saving her remaining leg and managing the cancer that had spread to her lungs. The journey was filled with hope, supported by Kenyans from all walks of life who contributed towards her treatment and kept her in their prayers.

A brave fight

While in India, Claire underwent several chemotherapy sessions. Unfortunately, her condition worsened after developing complications, leading to her admission to the Intensive Care Unit. She passed away in hospital last week, leaving behind a grieving family and a nation that had stood with her.

On Monday, March 30, 2026, her remains arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The atmosphere at the airport was filled with grief as family members, friends and well-wishers gathered to receive her. Her mother returned home alone, carrying a loss no parent should have to endure.

Claire will be laid to rest in her home area of Othaya in the coming days, as her family begins the difficult process of saying their final goodbyes.

Her story touched thousands across the country, many of whom followed her journey through updates and fundraising efforts. She became a symbol of strength and resilience, and her passing has deeply affected those who had hoped to see her recover.

Beyond the grief, her story has once again brought attention to the challenges families face when dealing with childhood cancer in Kenya. The high cost of specialised treatment, limited access to advanced care locally, and the emotional and financial strain on families often force many to seek treatment abroad.

Read our March issue here 

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Cover Story

Shock as Section of Gikomba Shoe Market Demolished Overnight

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Traders at Nairobi’s bustling Gikomba Market are counting heavy losses after a section of the popular shoe market (mitumba shoe section) was demolished overnight by Nairobi City County enforcement teams. The operation took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Videos and photos circulating on social media show destroyed merchandise and devastated traders who arrived at the market this morning to find their businesses in ruins. According to reports, the county government carried out the demolition after an eviction notice lapsed. This happened even though the High Court (Environment and Land Court) had earlier issued and extended conservatory orders in March 2026, halting mass demolitions and evictions at Gikomba and surrounding areas along the Nairobi River.

Repeated demolitions

Demolitions at Gikomba are not new. As far back as 1977, the original market was brought down by the government to pave the way for light industries. In recent years, attention has shifted to the riparian land along the Nairobi River, with authorities proposing to expand the buffer zone from 30 metres to 50 metres in a bid to control flooding.

Many traders have raised concerns over what they describe as poor consultation, shifting relocation plans and the lack of a clear and secure alternative site. There are also growing fears that the process could open the door to land grabbing and cartel involvement.

Impact

For most traders at Gikomba, the market is more than just a place of business. It is their only source of livelihood. Repeated fires and demolitions have created a cycle of uncertainty, financial strain and constant rebuilding. Many small business owners say they struggle to recover after each loss, only to face another setback months later.

Calls for improved fire safety measures, fair relocation plans and meaningful engagement with authorities continue to grow louder. Without long term and sustainable solutions, Gikomba traders will continue to bear the high cost of operating in one of Nairobi’s busiest yet most vulnerable markets.

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