Family fights rite over son missing 19 years

By Roselyne Obala

A family in Butere/Mumias District has lived under threats and pressure from community elders to conduct a traditional rite on their missing son.

The man left his home in Lukaka village after completing secondary school education to pursue his childhood dream of becoming an electrician.

Peterson Abura Ashioya, the first born in a family of four, joined Ray Bridge College for a certificate course in electronics.

Mrs Catherine Okeno narrates how Peter Abura (right) went missing 19 years ago.

After college, he struggled to get a job and later secured one at Uchumi Supermarket, formerly on Nairobi’s Kimathi Street in 1989.

His younger brother, Francise John Okeno, vividly recalls 19 years ago when he went to check on his brother.

"I went to his house after my cousin informed us he had failed to come home for two consecutive days," said Okeno, remembering the day in 1990.

Abura was staying in Dandora Phase 4 with a cousin Joseph Shikanda whom he had assisted to get a casual job.

"We learnt that my brother had left the house for work as usual on the day of his disappearance and has never returned to date," said Okeno.

He also consulted another cousin, Raphael Omwanyu, who was their neighbour in the same plot.

Mr Reuben Ashioya, Abura’s father and his son Okeno were staying in Kawangware and visited him often.

"We later reported his disappearance at Central Police Station after visiting his work place where he had also not been seen for the two days," he explained.

Okeno said the family’s search for his brother has not yielded any fruit, but he believes Abura is alive.

Ashioya, who was then working as guard in Lavington and has now retired.

"He (Abura) had only worked for about one year before going on leave at home to visit my mother," he said adding that the boy was very close to his mother.

The former student of Bumamu Secondary completed school in 1983 and worked for some time at the family farm before leaving for the city.

Abuya’s father Reuben Ashioya. Photo: Benjamin Sakwa/Standard

Okeno says the family has done everything possible including seeking the services of prophets to establish his whereabouts.

"We immediately commenced a search in all hospitals before resorting to mortuaries but it has all been in vain," he stated.

He is now left with pictures and fond memories of their childhood days.

Ashioya still hopes that his son did not die but will soon re-unite with them.

"We are praying and asking God to protect him wherever he is if indeed he is still alive so that one day we can unite happily once more," he said.

"My mother, Esther Matende could not bear the pain of losing her son and died two years after he disappeared," added Okeno.

Abura’s friends remember his last visit to the village after earning his first salary.

"He was here with others, we stayed together, dined and had good times recalling our past," said Norah Awiya.

Abura was an outstanding footballer highly regarded by his peers.

"We enjoyed playing football with him and we would at times encourage him to pursue professional soccer," said Joel Munyasi.

Okeno recounts the genesis of the unfruitful search for Abura, who had planned to marry the following year. He went missing at 29.

"We are not sure what happened to my brother. We did not preempt his loss, as we did not discover anything unusual about him," he said.

His uncle Hezron Muranga remembers Abura as an obedient boy who got along with everyone.

"He liked artistic work and playing football. He also loved children," he said.

Muranga said they were delighted when he returned home after getting a job and went on a shopping spree to buy gifts for friends and relatives.

The pain and loss of a loved one was evident when CCI visited his home in Butere.

Okeno says that according to the community’s tradition, they were supposed to bury a banana as a sign of his burial.

"We do not believe in the exercise because we are optimistic that my brother is alive and it’s only a matter of time before he resurfaces," he said.

He said it has not been easy on their part with constant calls by the local elders to conduct the burial rights.

"We are only going to carry out a decent burial when we are sure he is dead or recovered his body," he said.

At his village, residents are still puzzled at his mysterious disappearance and hope that he will return.

 

 

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