The 16-year-old student, identified as Joy Wanjiru, was reportedly discovered in the Ruiru area in Kiambu County after a concerned member of the public recognized her and alerted her family.
According to reports, the teenager was later taken to Karatina Police Station before she was finally reunited with her parents in an emotional meeting marked by tears and relief.
Police officers handling the matter revealed that the student told investigators she had been sleeping outside during the six weeks she was away from home.
She reportedly survived by borrowing small amounts of money from members of the public, which she used mainly for transport as she moved between different areas on her way toward Thika and Ruiru.
Joy Wanjiru reportedly disappeared on April 1, 2026, shortly after schools closed for the Easter holiday. CCTV footage later captured her walking alone in school uniform within Karatina town in Nyeri County on the same day she vanished.The disappearance caused widespread concern after her schoolbags were later recovered near River Ragati, raising fears about her safety and prompting an intensive search by family members and authorities.
Her family said a breakthrough came after a social media user claimed to have spotted the missing girl in Thika. After the information was verified, relatives and rescuers were able to trace her location in Ruiru, eventually leading to her rescue.
Her mother, Esther Gathigia, reportedly expressed gratitude and relief after finally reuniting with her daughter following weeks of emotional anguish and uncertainty.
Authorities indicated that the student attributed her disappearance to stress connected to declining academic performance. Investigators said she reportedly felt overwhelmed by pressure related to school grades, an issue officials say is increasingly affecting many learners.
Police and school officials have since indicated that arrangements are being made to ensure the student receives counselling and emotional support to help her recover from the experience.
The incident has also sparked wider conversations about academic pressure, mental health among students, and the importance of emotional support systems both at home and in schools.