Kenyan grandfather still missing, a month after arriving in the US

An extensive search is underway in Shelby County for 73-year-old Reuben Waithaka, a Kenyan national who disappeared on May 15, just two days after arriving in the United States to visit family. 

Waithaka's sudden disappearance has prompted a multi-agency investigation and widespread community involvement as authorities and loved ones race to uncover his whereabouts. Waithaka and his wife, Elizabeth, arrived in Alabama on May 13 to reunite with their son, Wellington Barua, after an eight-year separation. 

The visit was intended to be a celebratory occasion, highlighted by his grandson's graduation and Waithaka's approaching 73rd birthday. However, the joyous reunion took a distressing turn when Waithaka was last seen leaving his son's residence in the Timberline neighbourhood of Calera.

Surveillance footage captured Waithaka walking away from the home, accompanied by the family's dogs. According to Elizabeth, the dogs returned without him within minutes, raising immediate alarm due to Waithaka's frail condition and a noticeable limp caused by an injured knee. The short timeframe suggests the unlikelihood that Waithaka wandered off on his own, as stated by Elizabeth.

Additional security footage shows Waithaka passing a petrol station before disappearing from view, marking a crucial point in the investigation. Despite intensive search efforts, including K-9 units, aerial reconnaissance, and community volunteers, no substantial clues have emerged. The lack of information has caused immense distress for Waithaka's family, who are enduring agonising uncertainty.

"We haven't seen each other since 2017," said Waithaka's son, Wellington Barua, in an interview with local media. "We had planned a celebration just to make up for lost time, and now everything is in limbo. The sleepless nights have been overwhelming, but I still have hope."

The Calera Police Department, in cooperation with federal agencies, is actively pursuing all available leads. Calera Police Chief David Hyche acknowledges the strain on departmental resources due to multiple missing persons cases but affirms the department's unwavering commitment to resolving Waithaka's disappearance. 

"This is one of several missing persons cases we've had recently, and our department is stretched thin. But we are trying every avenue, including reaching out to Kenyan national media," Hyche said.

Investigators revealed that Waithaka received rides from at least two individuals after leaving his home. One ride transported him to a nearby Chevron gas station, located across from the entrance to the Timberline subdivision. The route and intentions of Waithaka after this point are uncertain. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The family has postponed their scheduled return to Kenya indefinitely and has been distributing flyers, utilising social media platforms, and following up on every potential lead to maintain awareness. 

"He's out there somewhere," Chief Hyche asserted in a public appeal. "We need help from the community and anyone who might have seen or spoken to him."