The back-to-school joy has turned into a living nightmare for Joyce Wambui. While other parents in Kagio, Kirinyaga County, sent their children off to class this week, Wambui sits by her phone, waiting for a call that never comes. Her daughter, Ann Nyakio, a Form Three student, has been missing since December 21.

The disappearance is shrouded in mystery. Nyakio vanished from her home on a Sunday. A day later, her mother received a distressing "Please Call Me" message. When she dialed the number, a stranger answered, claiming to be in Nyeri and unaware of the girl's identity. Since then, the line has gone dead.

"I Had Done Her Shopping"

"Everything was ready. Her uniform, her shopping... it is all still in her box," Wambui says, tears streaming down her face. "She was excited about Form Three. Who would take her from me?"

The family accuses the police of dragging their feet. Despite reporting the matter at the local station, tracking the phone signal—a standard procedure—has allegedly not been done. "They keep telling us to wait. Wait for what? For a body?" asked a furious uncle.

• The Vulnerability: The case highlights the growing number of teenage disappearances during school holidays. Activists warn of trafficking rings targeting young girls in Central Kenya, often luring them with false promises of jobs or relationships.
• Community Appeal: The family is appealing to the public for information. Nyakio was last seen wearing a red dress. "We just want her home," her mother pleads. "Alive."