Missing Eldoret pastor traced to a Nairobi bar

By Ramadhan Rajab

A pastor from Eldoret who disappeared two years ago has been traced to Nairobi alive and well but taking a path different from her earlier calling.

Silvia Leboi, who once saw the light and walked in its brightness as pastor with Eldoret’s Baptist Church, now works under flashing neon lights in a bar in Nairobi’s Langata area.

The April 1 edition of The Standard’s CCI investigative pullout may have appeared like a Fools’ Day prank for those who knew Silvia’s present labours. Her husband, John Leboi, had shared the story of her disappearance with the magazine, Without A Trace series, which has helped reunite several families.

A distraught Leboi narrated his travails and those of his children since his common law wife disappeared in December 2007 while on a spiritual mission to Nairobi.

Silvia had embarked on a one-month evangelical mission to Nairobi in late 2007, with a promise that she would be back home once her mission was completed but never returned.

Leboi claimed Silvia had remained in constant contact with him and their three children but went silent few days before her proposed return. Leboi said Silvia had complained that she was having difficulties securing a bus back home due to the many number of travellers seeking transportation.

Then her phone went dead.

Leboi told CCI he feared Silvia had been caught in the electoral violence that rocked different parts of the country.

Red dress

But last week, on the day the story was published, somebody called CCI to say he knew where Silvia could be found.

The Standard reporters staked out at the bar near Langata’s Uhuru Gardens and sure enough, there was Silvia, stepping out in a red dress and calm demeanour, quite unlike someone in distress or unable to return to her family.

She invited The Standard team and offered to serve drinks at the bar. The reporters initially introduced themselves as her followers from Eldoret Baptist Church.

"I am shocked that you still can recognise me but that was long ago," she started, but regretted she could not place the reporters. "But how have you identified me?" she posed, getting a little hostile.

The mention of the CCI article appeared to frazzle Silvia somewhat, but she regained her composure immediately and said casually she simply moved on with her life after parting with her husband of ten years.

Disheartening

"Yes I was married to him (Leboi) but break-ups do occur. We broke up and divorced in 2007, and I moved on in search of a new life."

Silvia appeared upset about her story appearing in the Press, although she had not read the article.

"That he (Leboi) went to the papers to tarnish my image is disheartening. He says my parents don’t know where I am. Those are misguided claims," Silvia said anger welling in her voice.

"My kids are okay under his care and they go to school contrary to what he told you people," Silvia said in response to the claim she had neglected her three children.

"Andika vile unataka ama vile amewaambia" (you may write as you please, or as he instructs you) she said before striding away.

Silvia said Leboi was capitalising on her absence to portray her in bad light. She did not indicate if and when she would be returning to see her children, or even her career change.

In Eldoret, Leboi received news of Silvia’s discovery with relief. But he denies that they had separated and called on the church to help reunite with his wife, whom he describes as "very religious."

Divorce claims

"I do not know who led her to sin, this is a shame to the work of God and she should be brought back home even if it’s by force," Leboi said.

On the claims of divorce, Leboi invited Silvia to repeat her claims before him, their children and his in-laws.

Customary rites

"Everyone who knows me can attest to the anguish I have endured with the children, we were married for more than 10 years before she left," he said.

The couple, according to Leboi, were married through the Kalenjin customary rites and witnessed by their parents in Eldoret and that they hadplanned a church wedding after her Nairobi mission.

"I still keep most of her valuables including her theology certificates. It’s very painful considering how I struggled to see her through college," Leboi said.

For now, Leboi is relieved that his wife is alive and well, and remains optimistic that she shall return to him and their three children.

But Silvia remained tight-lipped on her future plans.