My son left for a meeting in Dandora, is yet to return

A portrait picture of Dominic Ng'ang'a went missing on August 4, 2004 at the age of 21, from Ndadora estate where he was living with members of his extended family. {PHOTO BY MERCY KAHENDA}

Unlike his age mates, 60-year-old James Kimani is not enjoying his retirement years.

His life is marked with uncertainty following disappearance of his son Dominic Ng’ang’a on August 4, 2004 at the age of 21.

“I have nothing to smile about. What happiness would I have if the son whom I had hoped to take care of me at my old age is nowhere to be seen?” Kimani says.

Recounting events of that fateful day, Kimani says he came to their home, in Nairobi’s Dandora estate, at around 4pm because he wanted to discuss important family issues with Ng’ang’a.

He says he did not find the young man and was told that he’d gone for a meeting consisting of small business traders.

“I waited patiently for my son’s return but when nightfall came and he was nowhere to be seen, I started to get worried. In the morning, I visited Ng’ang’a’s friends who told me they had been with him but that he left to come home,” Kimani says.

The worried father then went to report his son’s disappearance at Kenyago Police Station in Dandora but he could not be traced.

Visiting his relatives’ homes also did not bear fruit and he even went to his ancestral home in Elbergon and Njoro sub-counties but his son was nowhere to be found.

“I have visited all my relatives and childhood friends to look for my son but my efforts remain futile. Visits to various morgues have also not shed any light,” says the desperate father.

Kimani says his son was doing small businesses to assist members of his family and had enrolled for a mechanics course in a youth polytechnic in Nairobi.

He says the young man was loving, caring, understanding and always took a lead in solving issues that affected members of his family.

“My son was very dedicated in improving his family’s livelihood and had begun establishing himself economically. He was a peace maker and whenever any member of the family was depressed, he would guide and counsel them,” Kimani says.

He says Ng’ang’a would also preach peace among all individuals despite their tribe or political affiliation having experienced 1997 election chaos reported in Njoro where he used to reside during his childhood.

Despite Ng’ang’a having not been found to date, the father remains hopeful and says he prays every day after waking up and going to bed that he would see his son before meeting his death.

Ng’ang’a’s sister, Zipporah Wanjiru, says her brother’s disappearance took a toll on their mother who developed depression upon learning that he was missing.

She says her mother used to talk about Ng’ang’a every day and would seat outside their rental house in a kind of daze.

“My mother would not eat. She spent many evenings crying and praying, asking God to help her see her son once more. Sadly, before her prayers were answered, she developed high blood pressure and complications from this ailment led to her demise in March 2005,” Wanjiru says.

The young woman who last saw Ng’ang’a leave to meet his friends says he was humble, loving, caring and always wanted to see members of his family live in peace.

She says he was also a social person who got along very well with relatives and friends.

Like her father, Wanjiru believes her brother will be found and wants anyone with information of her brother’s whereabouts to give that information to the nearest police station.