Agony of 2 families as police kin disappear

Charles Cheruiyot and his wife hold the photograph of their son Kelvin Kiprotich Ngeno, a regular police officer, who was kidnapped by Al-Shabaab in 2016. [Standard]

Two families in Kericho whose sons disappeared while on police duty want the Government to step up efforts to find them.

Kelvin Kiprotich, a regular police officer, went missing in 2016 in Garissa County.

David Kibet Bosuben, who was attached to the Administration Police Service, disappeared in 2014 while working in Nakuru County.

The families of Mr Kiprotich and Mr Kibet have now requested the government to use its resources to bring back their sons who went missing under difference circumstances.

According to Charles Cheruiyot, Kiprotich’s father, his son was abducted by suspected Al Shabaab militants who attacked Hamey Police Post in Garissa County on September 21, 2016.

Mr Cheruiyot, 56, said in an interview that Kiprotich had hardly worked for a year after graduating from Kiganjo Police Training College in 2015.

The family hails from Kaborok Village in Belgut Constituency. “We received news that Al-Shabaab terrorists had attacked the police post where my son was posted and kidnapped him together with his colleagues. We were later told by security authorities that they were taken to Somalia,” Cheruiyot said.

He explained that after some time, their was no communication from the Government concerning the whereabouts of his son.

That is when he decided to approach the local chief. “The chief took our concerns to the Belgut Deputy County Commissioner who forwarded the matter to Kericho County Commissioner,” said Cheruiyot.

“The commissioner assured us that the Government will rescue the hostages.”

Cheruiyot revealed that since his communication with the commissioner, he has been trying to pursue the matter with the police complains office in Nairobi.

Called on Sunday

However, no information has been forthcoming from that office.

Kiprotich’s mother Lillian Cheruiyot said before his abduction, her son had called her on a Sunday but she was in church and couldn’t pick the call. 

“A few days later we received news that Hamey Police Post had been attacked,” said Ms Cheruiyot.

In the second case, Mr Bosuben, 42, was posted to Njoro Police Station. Bosuben is from the neighboring Lalagin village in Bureti constituency.

Bosuben’s sister Diana Chepkorir said in an interview her brother who joined the Administration Police in 2002 disappeared in November 8, 2014. 

Ms Chepkorir said her brother collapsed while at his Njoro work station and was rushed to Nakuru Provincial Hospital.

While on his way to the hospital, Bosuben disappeared into thin air.

“In November, 25 2014, we reported that my brother was missing at Njoro Police Station. We followed the statement with a letter to the Inspector General of the police. We are yet to know of his whereabouts,” said Chepkorir.

She added that the family has searched for her brother’s body in mortuaries and found nothing.

Considered Deserter

Bosuben’s aunt Lilly Sang said the Government must renew efforts to trace her nephew.

“Our son was a government officer,  but it seems the Government doesn’t care about him or his family. How can a government officer disappear like a wild animal?” Ms Sang asked.

Police spokesperson Charles Owino said his office is in communication with the police stations where both officers were stationed.

“I sincerely do not have information about these two officers. I am in communication with the stations where they worked. I believe their colleagues can tell us more about their disappearance,” said Mr Owino.

Owino explained that there are standard procedures to declare an officer missing or dead. He said an officer who goes missing is considered a deserter first and a warrant of arrest is issued on him.

Officers who disappear in a battle field cannot be declared dead but are considered lost and have to wait for a number of days, months and even years before being declared dead.

“If an officer goes missing, maybe in the battle field, he loses his title,” said Owino.