Detectives in Trans Nzoia County are investigating the mysterious disappearance of a senior accountant with the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Kapenguria, West Pokot County.
Ms Caroline Mokeira, 38, vanished three days after she and her husband, Mr Tobia Kellar, were attacked by unknown assailants near their home in neighboring Kitale Town.
The senior accountant at KMTC Kapenguria Campus was last seen on the evening of October 17, when she left her Kibomet home in Kitale with her husband. She never returned, and nearly two weeks later, her whereabouts remain unknown.
Joash Momanyi (centre), father of the missing Kapenguria KMTC employee Caroline Mokeira, accompanied by relatives during an interview with Daily Nation on October 24, 2025, in Kitale town.
Photo credit: Evans Jaola | Nation Media Group
Her family fears she may have been targeted for kidnapping, while detectives probe conflicting accounts and the last known movements of the mother of three.
Her family is accusing the police of moving too slowly to uncover what happened. They say the mystery is deepened by conflicting accounts from her husband about her last moments and a series of strange text messages sent from her phone hours after she disappeared.
“We are traumatised and living in fear. We do not know whether our daughter is alive or dead. All we want is the truth and for the police to help us find her,” said her father, Mr Joash Momanyi.”
Ms Mokeira’s disappearance came just days after she and her husband were reportedly attacked by unidentified men on October 14. The couple sustained injuries and were treated at Cherangany Nursing Hospital before being discharged.
On Friday the same week, Ms Mokeira disappeared without a trace, under unclear circumstances. According to her family, her husband indicated that he had escorted her to the Kitale bus park as she planned to travel to Nairobi, but he gave a different version of events in another statement.
“First, he said he took her to the bus park. Later, he said she simply disappeared. We want detectives to record statements from everyone, including their house girl, who left suddenly after the incident,” Mr Momanyi said.
The family adds that on the night she went missing, the couple had told their house girl not to lock the door because they would return home late.
According to Mr Momanyi, Ms Mokeira had an argument with her husband earlier, which may be linked to the conflicting statements he has given.
KMTC Kapenguria Campus.
Photo credit: Photo | Pool
Police reports indicate her phone was last tracked to the Suam area along the Kenya-Uganda border, but calls could not get through.
The family believes the husband and house girl may have information that could help locate her, but no arrests have been made.
He said that on the morning of Saturday, October 18, a day after her disappearance, he received two text messages from Ms Mokeira's mobile number at 7:53 am and 8:13 am. The messages claimed she was safe at the Kenya–Uganda border.
“Good morning, Daddy. I am at the Suam border, Uganda, relaxing. When I finish, I will come back. I am very much safe,” one message read.
Photos of KMTC senior accountant Caroline Mokeira who went missing on October 17, in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County.
Photo credit: Evans Jaola | Nation Media Group
However, when he attempted to call her, his calls went unanswered. Police later confirmed the device was last traced to the Suam area before going off.
“I am very disturbed. I wake up every night to check my phone, hoping for news about my daughter. It is very painful not knowing if she is alive or dead,” said Mr Momanyi.
The family suspects the house girl may have fled to Nyahururu to hide evidence related to the disappearance.
“I am losing faith in the investigators. When we went to Kitale Police Station to write statements, we were transferred to Kiminini. The husband was told to bring the house girl for a statement, but she has not been found,” Mr Momanyi said.
Trans Nzoia County Criminal Investigations Officer Josphat Ndung’u confirmed the case is under active investigation, saying detectives are following leads to trace her movements and determine what happened that night.
“Our officers are working hard and liaising with headquarters for support. We ask the family to allow time for the investigation,” he said.
Neighbours and local leaders have, however, accused police of laxity in handling the case.
“This is a senior civil servant who has gone missing. The police should be doing more to help the family find her,” said Mr John Oroni, a neighbour.
At KMTC Kapenguria, where Ms Mokeira worked, Campus Principal Mr Allan N’chaminya said the college was waiting for an official report from the DCI.
A colleague described Ms Mokeira as “quiet but outgoing” and said she appeared fine when she was last seen at work on Tuesday before her disappearance.
“She was cheerful and worked normally throughout the day. I even spoke to her on Thursday evening, nothing seemed unusual,” the colleague said.
Desperate for answers, Ms Mokeira's family is pleading with authorities to unravel the mystery behind the missing KMTC officer as investigations continue.
