A search is underway for Edna Mmbali Ombakho, a 30-year-old Kenyan student who disappeared in the United Kingdom more than a week ago.
Ms Ombakho, who is pursuing a master’s degree at York St John University’s London campus, was last seen on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in Wraysbury, Berkshire, according to Thames Valley Police.
Her family in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, raised the alarm after she failed to make her usual contact, describing her silence as out of character.
Police said Ms Ombakho went out for a walk and did not return. She is approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, of small build, with braided hair, and is said to be soft-spoken. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a khaki long coat with a fur-lined hood, knee-high boots, and glasses.
Ms Ombakho had been living in Wraysbury with her boyfriend since December 2024. The police have recorded a statement from him as part of the ongoing investigation.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that they are actively investigating and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“We are deeply concerned for her safety and are asking anyone who may have seen or heard from her to please come forward,” said her family.
Her disappearance comes amid growing concern over reports of Kenyans facing mistreatment, disappearances, and deaths under unclear circumstances abroad. Human rights groups have called for swift government action.
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, HAKI Africa, a human rights organisation, confirmed the case, stating that Ms Ombakho had not been heard from since her disappearance.
“HAKI Africa has received a call from the family of Edna Mmbali Ombakho, who has been reported missing,” the group said in a post on X. It appealed to anyone with information — however small — to come forward immediately, noting that even seemingly minor details could be crucial in reuniting her with her family.
In January 2026, the body of Kepha Otieno was found in Reading. Authorities later confirmed he was homeless and had died from prolonged exposure to the cold. Otieno had been living in tents along Abattoirs Road, a makeshift encampment under threat of eviction after Reading Borough Council obtained a High Court writ of possession on July 4, 2025.
Community advocates said the encampment housed residents from Kenya, Tanzania, and the UK, many from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. They warned that residents faced multiple vulnerabilities, including unresolved immigration cases, mental health challenges, and limited access to support due to the UK’s “no recourse to public funds” restrictions.
In a separate case, Marianne Kilonzi, a Kenyan-born bank executive, was found dead in her London apartment in January 2025. Police investigations into her death are ongoing.
