The disappearances of young people in Eldoret have become a pressing issue. In recent weeks, community members have grown increasingly alarmed as more cases come to light— some ending in tragedy. Let’s explore the unsettling facts and what local residents are doing to protect one another.
Recent Cases Along the Sosiani River
In early June, the body of Edwin Kiplimo Samoei, 29, was discovered along the banks of the Sosiani River near Simat, Mushroom Estate. He had vanished on the evening of May 27, last seen near Testimony School in Eldoret. Friends and family launched a frantic search across Kapsumbeiywet and its environs. Shockingly, nine days later his lifeless body was found dumped by the riverbank .
This disturbing incident echoes a grim pattern for the Sosiani River corridor. Ordinary spaces like Simat, Mushroom, and Testimony School are turning into sites of fear and mourning. One local lamented:
> “This River Sosiani has become terrible. People are dumped there every time.”
A Legacy of Unsolved Disappearances
It’s not an isolated situation. In January 2023, the body of Edwin Chiloba, a young activist last seen in Eldoret, was found in a metal trunk roadside near Eldoret–Moi University area. His case sparked national attention, especially after a friend was arrested .
Sadly, Chiloba’s case remains emblematic. Eldoret has become a backdrop for unresolved disappearances and bodies found in remote areas. Residents near Moi Teaching Referral Hospital, Moi University, and Simat are now vigilant—some say too vigilant—about sending loved ones off alone.
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Why This Matters to Eldoret Families
Rising fear in local neighborhoods like Mushroom Estate, Simat, Kapsumbeiywet.
Young adults and students now risk walking home from Testimony School or roaming near Sosiani River after dark.
Families of missing individuals are staging vigils, using WhatsApp and Facebook groups to spread alerts.
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What Authorities and the Community Want
1. Faster investigations & transparency from Uasin Gishu police—families demand timely updates.
2. Increased police patrols around hotspots: Simat, Mushroom, Testimony School, riverbanks.
3. Neighborhood watch groups formed at churches and markets like Kapseret trading hub.
4. A public hotline for sharing sightings or suspicious movements, especially for those traveling alone.
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How You Can Stay Safe
Walk in groups, especially at night near Sosiani River or the university.
Share your whereabouts with trusted contacts via WhatsApp groups.
Keep emergency numbers, such as Uasin Gishu C.I.D. and Eldoret police stations, handy.
Install street lighting in residential compounds near known hotspots.
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In Conclusion
The disappearances of young people in Eldoret are not just headlines—they’re tragedies unfolding in our backyards. With trust in law enforcement and increased community vigilance, Eldoret residents hope to make their neighborhoods safer. If you have info on recent disappearances or found something suspicious, report it to police immediately. Together, Eldoret can reclaim its safety—one watchful hour at a time.
