Authorities look for missing man visiting Calera from Kenya who may have been given ride
A family in Calera wants you to be on the lookout for their missing loved one. Authorities believe someone gave him a ride last week, and he hasn't been seen since.
It鈥檚 been five days since the family reported Reuben Barua Waithaka missing. Over the weekend, loved ones spent time putting up missing persons flyers in the Timberline subdivision.
He was last seen wearing a plaid shirt and khaki pants.
鈥淗e doesn't have to be here if he doesn't want to be here. We know this is too much for him,鈥� Emily Ann Balua, Waithaka鈥檚 daughter, said tearfully.
It's been a dreadful emotional five days for Balua, her daughter and Waithaka鈥檚 granddaughter Elaine Westry.
"Uka, please this is hard for everybody. We miss you. We're looking for you and we're not going to stop until we find you,鈥� Westry said.
On Thursday, Waithaka walked away from the family home in the Timberline subdivision. Calera police officers have been searching for him since then, first on Highway 25.
Balua told 米兰体育 13 her dad traveled 18 hours on a plane from Kenya to Birmingham, with a couple stops in between, to celebrate his grandson's upcoming high school graduation in Alabama.
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Since his arrival, Balua said, he appeared to have been confused about where he is. The family says he hasn't been diagnosed with a disease that would impair his judgment, but he may be trying to find his way back to Kenya.
"So, if he asks you to take him to a city, especially to Kamboni, that is where he's from,鈥� Balua said.
Calera police say at least two people have given the 72-year-old man a ride. On Sunday, the department said it got a tip that Waithaka was seen in Cullman, an hour away from the Calera neighborhood. The family says to the next person who may want to help, 鈥淲e're hoping that if he approaches you for a ride, please don't give him a ride. Distract him and call the police,鈥� Balua said.