July 8th 2025.
A family from Kenya, who recently arrived in Calera, Alabama to attend their grandson's high school graduation, is now in distress as their patriarch, Reuben Waithaka, has gone missing. The community has come together to support the family in their search for the 72-year-old, who disappeared just days before the big celebration.
According to CNN, Waithaka was last seen at a gas station where he had hitchhiked to after arriving in Calera. Surveillance footage shows him waving at a store attendant before entering the restroom and exiting through a back door, never to be seen again. His grandson, Byron Barua, recalls the suddenness of his grandfather's disappearance, saying, "He just got here. And then he was gone."
It has been seven long weeks since Waithaka went missing, and despite the family's tireless efforts, including utilizing helicopters, drones, and tracking dogs, as well as distributing missing person flyers, there has been no sign of him. His son, Willington Barua, regrets inviting his parents to attend his son's graduation, wondering if things would have been different if they had stayed in Kenya. "Maybe if I hadn't invited them, my dad would still be with us," he says.
The family believes that Waithaka may have had undiagnosed dementia or another condition triggered by the stress of traveling from Kenya to Alabama. During his flight from Frankfurt to Atlanta, he became agitated and incoherent, requiring assistance from a flight attendant. Upon arriving in Alabama, he appeared confused and even sustained an injury while trying to use an escalator at the airport. However, a head CT scan and bloodwork came back normal, leaving the family puzzled.
After a nap and breakfast, Waithaka allegedly stepped outside and hasn't been seen since. He accepted two rides from motorists, with the last one dropping him off at the gas station where he was last seen. A nearby resident reported seeing someone matching Waithaka's description entering a hunting club near the gas station and crawling under a gate into the woods. Despite multiple searches and interviews with local residents, the police have yet to find any leads.
Waithaka's 73rd birthday was on June 3, just days after his grandson's graduation, which he was unable to attend. His grandson, Byron, recalls the heartbreaking experience, saying, "It was tragic, but I tried not to let it get to me or bring me down all the way. I pray for him to stay safe."
In the midst of their search, Willington, who owns a trucking company, makes it a point to post flyers at every rest stop and truck stop he visits. Whenever he drives past a wooded area, he slows down to scan the trees, hoping to catch a glimpse of his father. Every phone call brings a mix of anxiety and hope, as he braces for any information about his father's whereabouts. The hardest part for him is not knowing anything, he says.
The family is now turning to the public for help, hiring a private investigator to aid in their search. As they continue to hold onto hope and pray for Waithaka's safe return, the community is rallying behind them, determined to bring their beloved patriarch back home.
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