The search for Lilian Nyambura Mbugua, a 28-year-old brand manager with East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL), who had gone missing from her mother’s home in Murang’a, ended on a hopeful note when she was found alive early Tuesday, December 31.
Lilian, who had been missing for almost a week, was discovered at a filling station in Maragua Town, Murang’a, just past midnight. Her family had been frantically searching for her since December 23, when she was last seen at her mother’s home. Murang’a South Deputy County Commissioner Gitonga Murungi confirmed her discovery, though he refrained from providing further details. He mentioned that police would be conducting interviews with Lilian to gather more information about her disappearance.
According to a family member, Lilian was immediately taken to a nearby health center after being found. Health officials reported that she appeared disturbed, though her exact condition was not disclosed. The relief among her family and friends was palpable, as they had circulated posters and made public appeals in a bid to locate her. The search intensified after Lilian had been missing for several days, with no sign of her whereabouts.
Lilian’s disappearance began on Sunday, December 22, after attending a church service with her family. She then returned home and spent time with her relatives. On Monday, December 23, the family enjoyed a peaceful breakfast and lunch together. However, around 5 p.m. that evening, Lilian left the family compound, which is located in a gated community. Her family described it as an “ordinary walk” around the estate, as she was wearing a headscarf and slippers. Her mother was doing house chores in the backyard at the time.
When Lilian didn’t return, the family grew concerned. They discovered that she had left both of her mobile phones in the house, along with her car, its keys, her laptop, and identity documents. This raised suspicions, and the family reported her disappearance to the local Gikono police post on December 24, followed by a report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenol on December 28.
DCI investigations revealed that Lilian had made three phone calls on the evening of Saturday, December 21, two days before her disappearance. These details are now being used to piece together the events leading up to her sudden vanishing. While the reasons behind Lilian’s disappearance remain unclear, her safe return brings a sense of relief to her loved ones, who had been living in uncertainty.
