Family of Kitale woman who went missing six weeks ago wants independent probe

The family of Caroline Mokeira, who went missing more than six weeks ago, is asking for an independent probe into the whereabouts of their daughter.

The family says the investigations by the police have stalled with no meaningful steps taken since her disappearance.

The police say in the ensuing weeks, they have been unable to gather what they term as proper information on the case.

Mokeira, a resident of Kitale town, was last seen on October 17 in the company of her husband Tobias Keller. She has not been seen since then; her family, left in despair, have searched high and low for her. That search has come up empty time and again.

Her mother Grace Momanyi said: “Tumetembea mamortuary…kufungua miili hatumwoni, tumeenda misituni…tumeenda mito hatumwoni.”

The family of Mokeira reported missing and their case was taken up by the local Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) office. The family says the investigations seem to have hit a dead end.

The family’s neighbour, Peter Ambuga, said: “Kwa sababu mtu anaweza potea kama siku moja, mbili, tatu lakini anapatikana. Sisi tunaanza kujiuliza kwa sababu gani huyu Caroline…tangu apotee ni kama miezi miwili inaenda kuisha…kwa sababu gani hajapatikana?”

The prolonged disappearance and lack of answers from the investigating agencies has left this family dejected, they say they are ready for any information that will bring them closure

Mokeira’s father, Joash Momanyi, said: “Nimepata sleepless nights…si rahisi…afadhali nionyeshwe kama amekufa nijue amekufa ama kama ako hai.”

Last month, her husband was arrested alongside another suspect, both were released when the prosecution failed to convince the courts to hold them as they concluded investigations.

The courts further restrained the police from arresting the two suspects, but ordered that they reported to the Trans Nzoia West sub-county Criminal Investigation Officer twice every week, on Tuesdays and Fridays

“Kuna wengine wale ambao walikuwa wanatakikana kushikwa hawajapapatikana mpaka sahi. Sasa mimi nashindwa kwa nini yeye anaachiliwa na mtoto wangu hajapatikana,” said Momanyi.

Trans Nzoia DCI boss, Josephat Ndung’u, when contacted for clarity on whether the husband and the other suspect report as directed and on the progress of the investigations, said that the police does not have any proper information on the case at the moment.

The family says they will keep hope alive that the police will get that proper information sooner rather than later, they just want to know what happened to their daughter.