A FAMILY is desperate for answers after their grandpa traveled 18 hours to attend his grandson’s graduation — but then disappeared.
It’s been nearly two months since Reuben Waithaka, 73, walked out of his son’s house and vanished on May 15.
Before disappearing, Waithaka and his wife, Elizabeth, journeyed over 8,000 miles from Kenya to celebrate their first grandson’s high school graduation in Alabama.
The morning after they arrived, Waithaka left the family home in Calera, about 30 miles south of Birmingham, at around 11 am.
He hasn’t been seen since.
The doting grandfather missed his grandson’s graduation, which occurred just six days after he disappeared.
“He just got here. And then he was gone,” Waithaka’s grandson, Byron, told CNN.
The doting grandpa was planning on attending the graduation and even packed sentimental gifts to celebrate the occasion.
Pictures of his son at a young age and matching shirts for his son, grandson, and himself were tucked into his suitcase, CNN reported.
His family was seen gathered together in pictures of the graduation as they spoke about the concerning situation in social media posts.
Mary Ngigi Waithaka, Waithaka’s daughter-in-law, shared on Facebook, “Even as our family deals with the anxiety and unknown surrounding my father-in-law’s disappearance this past week, I believe he would want us to honor this remarkable milestone.”
MORNING OF MAY 15
Elizabeth said that on the morning he went missing, Waithaka stepped out of the house and seemed confused, according to CBS affiliate WIAT.
She followed her husband at first, but returned to lock the doors of the house.
When she tried to catch up with him, he was already out of sight.
Timeline of disappearance
The search for Reuben Waithaka has lasted seven weeks as his family is desperate for answers. Below is a timeline of his disappearance:
May 14 – Reuben Waithaka and his wife, Elizabeth, arrive in Calera, Alabama, after 18 hours of flying from Kenya.
May 15 – Reuben leaves his son’s residence around 11 am, dressed in khaki pants and a plaid shirt. An hour later, he’s spotted two miles away at a gas station. Authorities later confirmed he received a lift to the station.
May 21 – Reuben’s grandson graduates from high school without Reuben in attendance.
June 3 – Reuben’s family celebrates his 73rd birthday without him.
‘CONFUSED’ STATE
Emily Ann Balua, Waithaka’s daughter, said the patriarch had appeared to be confused about where he was since they arrived in the US, according to NBC affiliate WVTM.
The family said Waithaka might be trying to return to Kenya.
“So, if he asks you to take him to a city, especially to Kamboni, that is where he’s from,” Balua said.
Waithaka was given at least two rides after he left his family’s home, according to the Calera Police Department.
One of the rides was to a Chevron gas station about two miles away from his son’s home.
Surveillance footage from the gas station showed Waithaka walking with his hands behind his back at around 11:48 am.
He waved at the store attendant before walking to a restroom, according to CNN.
Waithaka then left through the back door of the store and hasn’t been seen since.
CPD hasn’t returned The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
In May, Waithaka’s family urged anyone who sees the missing grandpa to call the police instead of giving him a ride.
“We don’t want him to go any farther,” Balua told WIAT at the time.
She told WVTM, “We’re hoping that if he approaches you for a ride, please don’t give him a ride. Distract him and call the police.”
Waithaka’s family said he hasn’t been diagnosed with any disease that would impair his thinking.
FAMILY’S HEARTBREAK
On June 3, Waithaka turned 73 and wasn’t with his family to celebrate.
“HAPPY 73rd BIRTHDAY To My Father! However it’s hard to spend this joyous day without the man of the day,” his son, Willington Waithaka, wrote on Facebook.
“We all thank you for the continuous support and love we have gotten through these tough days.”
Recently, Willington shared a heartbreaking message about his dad’s disappearance with CNN.
He told CNN, “Sometimes I regret why I asked my parents to come for my son’s graduation. I find myself wondering, ‘What would I have done differently?
“Maybe if I hadn’t invited them, my dad would still be with us.”
