Joy as Kiambu family reunites with missing son after 60 days of agony
Monicah Wanjiku, mother of three holds her phone with a picture of her son Dennis Kiburi, 11, who went missing on December 14, 2024.
A family in Kiambaa Constituency is breathing a sigh of relief after an agonising 60-day search for their missing son Dennis Kiburi, an 11-year-old boy with autism, finally came to an end.
That hope finally turned into overwhelming relief when Monicah Wanjiku embraced her son once again—not in anguish, but joy.
Her son, a young autistic boy who mysteriously vanished after attending a church service in Kinoo with his family, two months ago, was finally found safe, bringing an end to what his family describes as “the longest, most painful wait” of their lives.
Dennis had vanished on December 14, 2024, leaving his family in distress and uncertainty. Their desperate search seemed endless—until Nation Media Group, on digital, print media and TV, highlighted their story.
It was this coverage that led to a breakthrough.
Someone who had seen the reports reached out with crucial information, ultimately leading to the emotional reunion the family had been praying for.
The boy was discovered in Zimmerman, sheltered in a children's home, after being rescued by police officers from Kamukunji Police Station.
According to the family, a Good Samaritan found the distressed child wandering the streets and took him to Kamukunji Police Station on January 21, 2025.
However, before being rescued, he had endured six days alone on the streets, vulnerable and confused.
“We received a call that our child had been found in Zimmerman. The moment we heard those words, our hearts pounded with a mix of fear and hope. We rushed there as fast as we could, praying that it was really him. And then, there he was—our son, safe, alive. The emotions were overwhelming. After 60 days of endless searching, sleepless nights, and tears, seeing him again felt like a miracle. It was him,” said Ms Wanjiku
“He was being cared for at a sheltered school for children with disabilities, and the kindness they had shown him brought us to tears. Not only had they given him a safe place to stay, but they had also taught him new things, helping him in ways we never imagined. Knowing that he was in good hands while we were out there searching for him is something we will forever be grateful for,” she added.
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His return has sparked both gratitude and deep reflection for the family, who never gave up on finding him.
Now, with their son safely back in their arms, they can finally breathe a sigh of relief after two months of torment, uncertainty, and endless searching.
“I want to thank Nation Media Group—both Print and TV—for being the light in our darkest moment. When we had almost lost hope, when we were exhausted from searching with no answers, you shared our story with the world. Because of that, someone saw it, and that’s how we got the call that changed everything. The moment we heard those words, 'Your child has been found,' it was like a heavy burden had been lifted from our hearts. We cannot put into words what it means to have our son back, safe and alive. You played a part in reuniting our family, and for that, we are forever grateful. May God bless you for the incredible work you do—not just for us, but for all the families out there still searching for their loved ones,” said Joseph Mungai, Denis’ grandfather.