Family in anguish as Anglican priest mysteriously disappears

Rev Stanley Kivuti who has been missing since April 4, 2019 when he left his home in Embu heading for Kirinyaga. The family suspects he may have been abducted. PHOTO | GEORGE MUNENE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Family members have appealed to the police to assist in tracing him as his phone has been switched off.
  • He left for Shunem Christian Retreat Centre in Kirinyaga and promised to be back after three days.
  • The family suspects that the priest may have been ambushed on his way to the retreat centre.

A priest of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) based in Embu County has gone missing for nearly two weeks, raising fears that he may have been kidnapped.

The mysterious disappearance of Rev Stanley Kivuti, 34, who is in charge of Gikuuri Parish in Runyenjes, has thrown his family and other worshippers into a panic.

The ACK priest left home on April 4 for a church event in Kirinyaga County and has been missing since then.

Family members have appealed to the police to assist in tracing him as his phone has been switched off.

His wife, Catherine Marigu, said her husband left for Shunem Christian Retreat Centre in Kirinyaga and promised to be back after three days.

PHONE SWITCHED OFF

But he did not return home as he had promised.

On the fourth day, Ms Marigu called her husband but his cell phone was switched off, prompting her to report the matter at Manyatta Police Station.

The family suspects that the priest may have been ambushed on his way to the retreat centre and abducted for reasons which are yet to be established.

Ms Marigu said her husband related well with parishioners and neighbours and his disappearance raises a lot of questions.

Another family member, Mr Geoffrey Mutigwa, said he learnt of Rev Kivuti’s disappearance with great shock.

A senior police officer, Mr Godfrey Kere, confirmed that the family reported the matter and investigations are under way.

"It is true we have received a report on a missing person and we have started investigations," said Mr Kere.