The East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) brand manager, Lilian Nyambura Mbugua, who went missing on December 23, was discovered alive on Monday morning at a petrol station in Maragua, Murang’a County.
The 28-year-old appeared disoriented and was immediately taken to a nearby health facility before being transferred to Nairobi for further medical evaluation. Family spokesperson George Njuguna, Nyambura’s paternal uncle, said she was abandoned near the petrol station around midnight. “She looked confused and weak. She asked the attendants to call her mother,” Njuguna said.
Nyambura was first taken to Maragua Level Four Hospital and later moved to Nairobi for specialized treatment. She is currently recovering at her parent’s home as family and investigators await her account of what transpired.
Murang’a South Deputy County Commissioner Gitonga Murungi confirmed that investigations are ongoing. “We are waiting for her to recover and be in a position to explain what happened,” he said.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a probe and is analyzing surveillance footage from where she was found. “Occultism is among the theories under investigation,” a senior officer revealed.
Nyambura disappeared from her family home in Gikono, Kabati, on December 23. She was last seen leaving the compound for what seemed like an evening stroll, leaving behind her phone, car keys, and identification documents.
The case highlights a growing concern over missing persons, with over 100 individuals reported missing in December alone, including young girls, men, and children.
The National Police Service (NPS) has urged families to promptly report missing persons and collaborate with investigators. NPS spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango advised parents to monitor children’s behaviour, check their social media, and stay vigilant for warning signs.
Experts attribute some disappearances to family conflicts, bullying, exploitation, and abuse, urging families to create a safe and supportive environment to reduce risks.
This incident, while ending in relief for Nyambura’s family, underscores the urgency of addressing the factors behind the increasing number of missing persons in Kenya.
