The family of a Form Four student from Mwongori High School in Nyamira County is in distress following the mysterious disappearance of their 17-year-old son, Austine Chakua Nchogu. The teenager was last seen on May 14th after reportedly having an argument with his chemistry teacher.
According to Austine’s mother, Mercy Kwamboka, the family was initially informed that their son had gone missing on May 20th. However, upon arriving at the school to follow up, they were shocked to learn that he had actually disappeared six days earlier.
“We were told that our child got lost on the 20th, but when I came to school, we discovered that our child had gone missing on the 14th,” Mercy said. “We had not even been informed as his parents that our child was missing, which is heartbreaking.”
The student allegedly left the classroom after an altercation with the teacher, saying he was going to the washrooms, but never returned. His whereabouts have remained unknown since then.
The family has accused the school administration of negligence, claiming the school neither acted swiftly nor informed them or the authorities about Austine’s disappearance.
“We are the first people to report to the police station, the school had not reported yet,” said Austine’s father, Cleophas Nchogu. The family has since filed a missing person’s report at Matutu Police Station and is urging anyone with information to come forward.
Austine’s aunt, Rebecca Kerubo, expressed frustration over the lack of communication and accountability from the school. “It is unfortunate that such a school cannot be able to explain the whereabouts of Austine. From the school we did not get answers and that’s when we came to Matutu Police Station,” she said.
The school has remained silent on the matter, raising serious questions about the safety and welfare of students under its care. Meanwhile, the family continues to plead with authorities and the public to help locate their son, whose disappearance has left them in anguish.
