Minor assumed dead a year ago found alive in children's home

A 10-year-old boy with mental challenges, believed to have died and been buried over a year ago, has been found alive, a discovery that has left residents of Bonde Village in Cherang’any Constituency astonished.

The boy, identified as Sammy Wanjala, went missing in January 2024, sparking a frantic search by his parents, Benson and Susan Wanjala.

The family reported his disappearance at Nyakinywa Police Station and scoured the surrounding areas for months without success.

Two months later, a decomposing body was recovered from the Nzoia River and preserved at Kitale Level Four Hospital. The remains were badly damaged, with the face unrecognisable and the eyes eaten away by insects, making a positive identification nearly impossible.

Based on the condition of the remains, the family presumed it to be Sammy, leading to a burial that now appears to have been a tragic case of mistaken identity.

Despite initial hesitation, the family, emotionally and financially drained, believed the body could be Sammy’s.

On May 28, 2024, they visited the Kitale Hospital Referral Mortuary to view the body once more. Most relatives reluctantly agreed it was their missing child.

But Susan remained unconvinced.

“I viewed the body, and something in me said, ‘This is not my son’. But everyone else said it must be him. I felt helpless,” she told The Standard.

Despite Susan’s protests, her husband insisted they proceed with burial preparations.

“We had searched for so long. The pain was unbearable. I just wanted closure,” he said.

The body was buried in June 2024 in an emotional ceremony supported by villagers and well-wishers who raised money for the funeral through a community fundraiser.

“We are now focused on identifying who that child was. This has become both a miracle and a mystery,” said a police officer familiar with the case. Life moved on, but not for Susan.

According to Susan, Sammy was rescued by officials from the Precious Children’s Home, who took him in, offered counselling, and gently questioned him about his identity and family.

Following the interview, the institution contacted local authorities.

Susan was summoned by the area assistant chief to the children’s home, where she positively identified Sammy as her biological son.

“I kept dreaming of my son. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was alive somewhere,” she said.

Her mother’s instinct turned out to be right.

On April 22, 2025, officials from Precious Kids Children’s Home, located in Kiminini Constituency, contacted local authorities after speaking with a boy who had been living there since early 2024. During an informal conversation, he mentioned his home village was Bonde. Staff at the center used that clue to trace his family and arrived at the Wanjalas’ home with a photo.

“I screamed. It was him. I knew it instantly. My son was alive,” said Susan.

Susan accompanied the children’s home officials to their facility. When John saw her, he ran into her arms.

“He hugged me tight and said, ‘Mama.’ That’s all I needed to hear,” she said.

The shocking revelation prompted the family to seek a court order to exhume the body they had buried nearly a year earlier. On April 24, 2025, the remains were exhumed and transferred to the Kitale Referral Hospital mortuary for forensic examination and DNA testing.

“We are now focused on identifying who that child was. This has become both a miracle and a mystery,” said a local police officer familiar with the case.

Susan expressed her gratitude to the staff at Precious Kids for caring for her son. “They became his family when we could not find him. I will never forget that.”

For Benson Wanjala, a local pastor, the moment brought deep emotional relief but also spiritual reflection.

“I’ve seen God’s hand in all this. Many in our community have suggested performing traditional cleansing rituals. But because of my faith, I will not do that. My son has returned, and that is enough.” Wanjala Said.

The family is now working with the children’s home and local government officials to organize a public celebration of John’s return.

“This story is not just about one boy. It’s about hope, perseverance, and the power of a mother’s love.” Said the home’s director.

As investigations continue to determine the identity of the boy buried in John’s place, the Wanjala family says they are simply grateful to be whole again.

“I thought I had buried my son. But he was never in that grave. He was waiting for us to find him. And now, he’s home.” Susan said quietly, holding John close.

Police have confirmed that human remains recovered during the search for a missing child will undergo forensic analysis, after the child in question was found alive and is set to be reunited with their family.

According to authorities, the remains were initially believed to be linked to the missing child’s case. However, with the child now located safely, investigators are shifting focus to determine the identity of the remains and whether they are connected to a separate incident.

“The remains will be subjected to forensic investigation to establish the identity and cause of death,” police said in a statement.