Mystery Deepens as Kenyan Woman Remains Missing in Iraq

Five months after Kenyan national Josephine Mburu disappeared in Iraq, her family says it is still waiting for clear information about her whereabouts and the progress of the investigation.

Mburu, who was working in Iraq, was last seen on 18 February 2026. Her mobile phone was later found near the River Tigris within her employer’s compound, but no further trace of her has been discovered.

Family members say they have received limited communication from both her employer and Iraqi authorities since her disappearance. They claim requests for updates have produced few answers, leaving them uncertain about the status of the investigation. 

The prolonged lack of information has increased both the emotional and financial strain on the family as they continue to seek answers. The circumstances surrounding Mburu’s disappearance remain unclear. 

Authorities have not determined whether she was involved in an accident, was abducted, or disappeared under other circumstances. Human rights organisations have raised concerns about the handling of the case, arguing that it highlights wider questions about accountability and transparency in cross-border employment arrangements. 

They have called for stronger diplomatic efforts to ensure the investigation continues. In Kenya, the case has prompted debate about the safety of citizens working abroad and the responsibilities of employers and host governments.

Advocacy groups have urged the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to increase its involvement, saying the lack of information has weakened confidence in official efforts to resolve the case. Mburu’s family continues to appeal for meaningful updates and concrete action.