Kenyan Family Appeals for Help Finding Relative Missing in the US Since 2015
A Kenyan family is appealing for help to trace their relative, Simon Karongo Itati, who has been missing in the United States since 2015.
Simon moved to the United States in 2010 after obtaining permanent residency through the Diversity Visa Lottery programme. He is believed to have settled in Huntsville, Alabama, where he began establishing a new life and remained in regular contact with his family in Kenya.
According to relatives, Simon frequently shared updates about his work and experiences as he adapted to life in the US. However, communication suddenly stopped in March 2015, and the family has not heard from him since.
Efforts to contact him have been unsuccessful. Phone numbers previously associated with Simon are no longer active, his social media accounts have disappeared, and people who may have known him have been unable to provide reliable information about his whereabouts.
Over the years, the family has expanded its search by contacting members of the Kenyan diaspora in the United States, community organisations and individuals who may have encountered Simon. Despite these efforts, no confirmed information has emerged.
The prolonged absence has caused significant distress for his relatives, who say the uncertainty surrounding his fate has become increasingly difficult with each passing year. The case also reflects the challenges families often face when relatives disappear abroad. Tracing missing persons in another country can be difficult, particularly when families have limited access to local networks and official systems.
Community leaders have encouraged Kenyans living in the United States to share information about Simon and circulate the family's appeal through churches, social groups and online platforms in the hope of generating new leads. For Simon's family, the search remains focused on finding answers about his whereabouts and wellbeing after more than a decade without contact.