Family Appeals for Government Help as Mt. Kenya Guide Goes Missing for Two Weeks

A family in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, is appealing to the government to intensify efforts to trace their relative, Samuel Macharia, a mountain guide who went missing on Mt. Kenya 14 days ago during a climbing mission.

Macharia, 35, disappeared on December 23, 2025, while accompanying four fellow guides and two Japanese tourists along the Sirimon route, one of the mountain’s popular climbing paths.

Since his disappearance, the family has been living in uncertainty, clinging to hope as days pass without any leads. On Tuesday, January 5, Macharia’s aunt, Lucy Kagwaini, alongside other relatives, was seen at Old Moses Camp, located about 3,300 feet above sea level, quietly staring at the mist-covered peaks and praying for answers.

“He is somewhere; we just don’t know if it’s in the forest or on the mountain. We have done our best, but we haven’t seen him. We plead with the government for help. This is my nephew, and we have no other way out,” Kagwaini said, fighting back tears.

The family believes Macharia may have wandered into Mt. Kenya’s dense forest and could possibly be in nearby villages, disoriented and unable to find his way back. They also fear that he may be suffering from High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), a life-threatening condition that can cause confusion, hallucinations, and loss of coordination at high altitudes.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has confirmed that investigations and search efforts are ongoing to locate the missing guide. Authorities say terrain challenges and harsh weather conditions have complicated the operation.

Mt. Kenya has recorded several cases of missing climbers and fatalities over the years, but Macharia’s disappearance has raised particular concern given his reputation as a seasoned and experienced mountaineer familiar with the terrain.

Family members are now urging the government to deploy additional resources, including aerial surveillance and specialized rescue teams, to help bring closure to the search.

As the operation continues, relatives, fellow guides, and members of the local community remain hopeful that Macharia will be found alive, even as anxiety grows with each passing day.