Police in Murang’a County have launched a search for a 16-year-old girl who vanished hours after she was expelled from school for allegedly wearing a miniskirt and dyeing her hair.
Yvonne Wanjiru, a Grade 10 student at St Charles Lwanga High School, reported back to school from the midterm break on June 30. By 8am the following morning, she had been expelled.
Her disappearance was reported at Kandara Police Station and recorded in the Occurrence Book under reference OB 04/02/07/2026.
County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo said preliminary investigations indicate that the school telephoned Yvonne’s mother, Monica Wakahiu, about 8.30am on July 1 to inform her that her daughter was about to be expelled.
“The mother requested the school to suspend the expulsion until the following day so she could have a meeting with the school and her daughter. The school agreed to that request,” Mr Kimaiyo said in an interview.
Investigators have since established, however, that by the time the school made that call, Yvonne had already been sent away.
Ms Monicah Wakahiu breaks down in tears over the disappearance of her 16-year-old daughter, Yvonne Wanjiru.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation Media Group
“What the school did not disclose was that the student had already left the institution. That was the last confirmed sighting of her. She never made it back to her parents’ home in Kihoni, Kandara Constituency, and efforts to trace her are ongoing,” Mr Kimaiyo said.
Police say CCTV footage and witness accounts indicate that Yvonne walked out of the school carrying her bag and appeared calm and in good health as she headed towards the main road.
“During the investigation, we recovered a phone number written in one of her exercise books at home. Digital analysis established that the number had repeatedly communicated with another phone Yvonne had been using during the school holiday,” Mr Kimaiyo said.
“Detectives traced and interviewed the man who they said is cooperating with investigators, but the girl was not found at his residence. We have since widened the search,” he added.
Yvonne’s mother accused the school of violating procedure by expelling a minor in the absence of a parent or guardian.
“My daughter was entitled to a fair hearing before any disciplinary action was taken. As a minor, she should have been heard in the presence of a guardian. If the school decided to expel her, she should have been released to a parent or escorted home,” Ms Wakahiu said.
“I appeal to anyone who may be living with her or has employed her to release her and let her come home. If she is out on the streets, I urge Kenyans to help bring her back. I refuse to believe any harm has befallen her. I still have hope that she is alive,” she said.
Yvonne’s aunt, Anne Njeri, said the family was praying for her safe return.
Police said the search has now been extended to neighbouring counties and major public transport terminals as detectives continue pursuing fresh leads.
