Family appeals for help as Kenyan student goes missing in the UK
By Aloys Michael, February 8, 2026Sleepless nights and unanswered questions have gripped a family in Kitale since their relative, Edna Mmbali Ombakho, disappeared while in the United Kingdom.
The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over videos showing Kenyans being maltreated, disappearance and deaths of Kenyans under unclear circumstances, with human rights groups petitioning the government to act swiftly.
Confirming the incident on Saturday, February 7, 2026, HAKI Africa- a human rights organisation- said that the 30-year-old Master’s student in the UK on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in Wraysbury, Berkshire, and has not been heard from since, raising growing fears about her safety.
“HAKI Africa has received a call from the family of Edna Mmbali Ombakho, who has been reported missing. We appeal to anyone who may have seen Edna or has any information that could assist in locating her to come forward immediately,” the rights group wrote on X.
It is reported that Edna had travelled to the United Kingdom to further her studies and had been residing in Wraysbury at the time she was last seen.
In its appeal, the organisation said every lead, no matter how minor it may seem, could be critical in helping reunite the missing kin with her family.
“We appeal to anyone who may have seen Edna or has any information that could assist in locating her to come forward immediately,” HAKI Africa appealed.
The incident comes days after the lifeless body of a Kenyan was found in the UK.
In January 2026, Kepha Otieno was found lifeless in Reading, before he was identified as homeless.
Reports indicate that Kepha died after being exposed to extreme cold during the winter while living without shelter.
He had been homeless and staying in tents along Abattoirs Road in Reading, a makeshift encampment.
The camp had been under threat of eviction after Reading Borough Council obtained a High Court Writ of Possession dated July 4, 2025, leaving occupants vulnerable and uncertain about their safety.
At the time, the encampment included Kenyans, Tanzanians, and British citizens, many from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Community advocates warned that the residents were living with multiple vulnerabilities, including unresolved immigration cases, mental health concerns, and limited access to support due to the UK’s No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) restrictions.
In January 2025, a Kenyan-born bank executive, Marianne Kilonzi, was found deceased in her London flat, and police have intensified investigations into the matter.