Abducted Kihiu Mwiri land firm boss still missing one year on

Rev George Kamiri of ACK St James River Road church in Gachie conducts prayers at Tigoni Police Station where the burnt car belonging to Mr Paul Kariuki who as the chairman of troubled Kihiu Mwiri land buying firm was towed to after his abduction by unknown people on July 1, 2015. His whereabouts remain a mystery. PHOTO | ERIC WAINAINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Since her husband was abducted a year ago, life has never been the same again for Ms Ruth Nyambura.
  • Mr Kariuki was abducted while on his way home from the company’s Thika office on July 1, 2015, at around 6pm.
  • His burnt car was recovered in Limuru near St Paul’s University the following day.
  • Ms Nyambura said she has been living with hope that her husband will one day reunite with them but is ready to accept any outcome.

Ms Ruth Nyambura is devastated.

Since her husband was abducted a year ago, life has never been the same again.

Her husband, Mr Paul Kariuki, was the chairman of the troubled Kihiu Mwiri land company in Murang’a that has lost more than 10 directors in gangland style murders in what has been described as the scramble for money, power and control of the firm.

Mr Kariuki was abducted while on his way home from the company’s Thika office on July 1, 2015, at around 6pm, and his burnt car was recovered in Limuru near St Paul’s University the following day.

Ms Nyambura identified the number plate and a cheque book that was partially burnt.

Her worry now is that her husband could either be dead or may never be found like what happened to the other three directors who were picked up from a Thika hotel in March 2014.

Twelve months down the line, there has been no word about his whereabouts and this, Ms Nyambura says, has caused her family anguish, adding that it is better to see his body rather than remain in the dark over his whereabouts.

“I have never found peace because I still do not know whether he is dead or alive,” she said, adding that she has been fearing for the worst, considering the misfortunes that have befallen some company officials in the past.

PRAYER SERVICE

Confused on whether to hold a function to mark his death or disappearance, Ms Nyambura eventually opted to have a prayer service conducted at the scene where the wreckage of the car was recovered and at Tigoni Police Station where it was towed.

The service was conducted on the day he went missing and was presided over by Rev George Kamiri of the ACK St James River Road church in Gachie.

“We cannot mark an anniversary of his death because we are not sure whether he is dead or alive and we chose the venue because that is the last place where he was traced,” Ms Nyambura said.

Incidentally, Mr Kariuki had consented to give an interview to the Nation about the mysterious killings at the company on the day his burnt vehicle was found.

He had also pledged to ensure at least four other families of his colleagues would speak about how their loved ones were killed.

The Nation spoke to him two hours before his disappearance, when he confirmed that he would arrange for the interviews the following day.

Ms Nyambura said she has been living with hope that her husband will one day reunite with them but added she is ready to accept any outcome.