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The family of Maureen Gitau, a Kenyan woman who went missing in the United Kingdom on Monday, December 5, appealed to members of the public to assist in her search.
According to Jane, Gitau's mother, the 24-year-old was last seen leaving their home at Lewisham, along Evelyn Street, southeast London at around 8 pm.
Speaking to Metro, Jane revealed how hard it has been for the family to spend Christmas Day without knowing where their kin is.
“We’re desperate to have her back home with us. If, anyone knows where Maureen is, let us know. Maureen, please come home to us,” the UK-based family appealed.
A blurred image with a missing person's message SHUTTERSTOCKMaureen’s family and friends had spent five days looking for her after she disappeared before making a formal ‘missing person’ report with the police on Saturday, December 10.
“Maureen is much-loved and is such an important part of our lives,” her mother said.
Clare Espline, a detective from the Missing Person Team, who has been leading her search mission said they have not received any evidence that could lead them to Maureen’s whereabouts.
“A great deal of work has gone into trying to locate her including speaking to those who know Maureen, mobile phone work, and checking any known addresses Maureen could have links to.
Unfortunately, this work has yet to lead to us locating her,” the detective told the UK-based newspaper Daily Mail.
“The longer she has been missing and out of contact, the more concern grows amongst her family and friends as they seek news to confirm she is safe and well,” the detective added.
The detective also called on anyone with credible information on Maureen’s whereabouts to contact them immediately.
Cases of Kenyans missing and being tortured abroad, especially in the Middle East, have been on the rise.
A photo of Nairobi's former governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko FACEBOOK MIKE SONKO By Sam Abuya, Kenyans.co.ke
Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced that seven rescue and patrol boats have been deployed along all public beaches in the county.
He said this is aimed at averting tragedies as visitors and locals throng the beaches to celebrate December festivities.
The move comes a day after two people died on Sunday after a boat capsized at the Jomo Kenyatta Public beach, commonly known us Pirates
The two were among 12 family members who had travelled from Nairobi and had hired the boat for a short trip into the deep seas.
"We have deployed seven patrol boats along all our public beaches. With this beach (Pirates) being the most frequented one, we have deployed four boats."
"We will have one along the main island and another two across the ferry," said Nassir.
The governor was speaking after visiting the beach on Monday afternoon.
He said that each boat will have a Kenya Coast Guard officer, a life guard as well as youths with diving experience recruited by the county for the festive season.
"I want to assure Mombasa residents and all visitors around of their safety and security. Yes accidents do happen but we have everything under control.
"Let us not focus on the negativity, but rather focus on the efforts made by the county to beef up safety and security," Nassir said.
He confirmed that he had spoken to families of the deceased and those recuperating in hospital, but urged the media to allow them mourn in private.
Earlier on Monday, the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya banned swimming along the beaches of the Indian Ocean past 5pm following the death of two family members.
"We don’t expect to see anyone at the beach past 5.30pm, and we have made this decision after wide consultations with different stakeholders," Mvurya said.
He spoke after touring Diani beach in Kwale county. The CS was accompanied by Kenya Maritime Officials led by chairman, Hamisi Mwaguya, alongside government officials and members of the Kenya Redcross Society led by Mombasa chairman, Mahmoud Noor.
The CS also said they have directed that all boats operating in the ocean be inspected to ensure safety.
"We want all the boats to have safety gear such as floaters because we have realised that some have vests that even look like reflector jackets," he said.
Nassir, however, said that Mombasa county will consult the CS over the ban saying that some functions were devolved.
"Waziri has good reasons for the ban. But we shall have consultations with him to see how we can improve on the safety. I'm alive to the fact that the move will affect some businesses," he said. By