Kericho: Celebration as Woman Who Left Home 33 Years Ago Returns

• Jackline Chelangat restored hope to her family members after reappearing 33 years since she left home
• The 49-year-old had left home at age 16 after allegedly being married to an elderly man who lived in the area
• Chelangat’s mother said the prayers she had offered for over three decades were finally answered when her daughter returned safely

Joy and celebration filled the atmosphere of Kamapengo village in Ainamoi constituency, Kericho county.

The residents joined the family in celebrating the return of their kin, who had been missing for more than three decades.

Chelangat speaks after returning home

Chelangat is believed to have disappeared from her home 33 years ago when she was a teenage girl.

She had allegedly been married off to an elderly herdsman at age 16 and moved in with him shortly after.

“I did not understand myself when I went with him. I only went to some places. I remember following him when I was coming home from school. He told me he had prepared food for me. I suspect the food had something in it that made me forget about my home,” Chelangat said.

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Bavina Kosgei, Chelangat’s mother, expressed her delight at her daughter’s return, noting that she had prayed for this day.

“I put prayers first. I sought prayers for many days. I even went to prayer centres, but I was unsuccessful—until I began to pray myself. That’s when I saw results. My daughter’s return is because of my prayers,” she said.

Chelangat's brother speaks after his sister's return

Chelangat was received with great joy, especially by her family members, who had lost hope of ever seeing her again.

They did not know whether she was alive or dead, but her return brought joy where there had been none.

“She had disappeared for many years. Back in 1992, when she left, I was only six years old. She was the one who took care of me and protected me when our mother had gone to work or to find menial jobs here and there. We heard that our sister had been taken by an elderly man from this area, who escaped with her,” said Kipngetich Edwin, Chelangat’s brother.

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How did Chelangat make it home?

Chelangat said that when she came back to her senses, she chose to return home, despite fears that she might get lost.

She recalled boarding a vehicle to her hometown and asking for directions from there to her home.

“I found a good Samaritan who encouraged me and told me I could not and would not get lost. They advised me to mention a place I remembered well,” she said.

Kipngetich added that when his sister arrived in Cherota, she asked for directions to her home using the name of their father, who was a well-known man in the area.

Vihiga man returns home after 70 years

In another story, there was also a celebration in Vihiga county after a man who had left home in search of work returned after 70 years.

Victor Ombisi Siokote had travelled to Kiambu county in search of greener pastures and lost touch with his family.

The village of Ebwali was filled with joy as Siokote, now aged 92, reunited with his long-separated family.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke