By Michael Wesonga
When the clergyman took his son to school for the third term last year, there was nothing to forewarn him of what was to happen to his son later that term.
Rev Elias Kimaiyo Bett had hoped the term would end on a high note, as his son was to join Form Four this year. But this was not to be.
The African Inland Church (AIC) pastor at Kimumu, Uasin Gishu County says their joy was broken one evening in November when a teacher called to enquire whether their 17-year-old son was at home.
Evans Kipruto Bett, a Form Three student at Chebisaas Boys High School was discovered missing from school on November 4, last year by the school administration. His class prefect reported the matter to the administration after he noted his absence during an examination.
Shocking news
It was at 5pm on that day when the schoolâs deputy principal called the boyâs mother enquiring whether he was home. The teacher informed her that the boy had gone out of school without permission.
Upon receiving the news, she called her husband, who was in town, to inform him of the development.
"I went to the school the following day accompanied by a neighbour and I was told that the previous night Form Three students had broken into boxes belonging to Form Four students and stolen their property," Bett narrates.
The teacher said Kipruto must have used the opportunity to sneak out of school as the schoolâs administration sought for the culprits.
But after speaking to some of Kiprutoâs close friends, it became evident he first went missing on October 31, last year.
"His friend said he noticed Kiprutoâs absence during the lunch break on October 31, but decided to keep it to himself," Bett explains.
