Distress as U20 Rising Starlets captain goes missing

By Peter Ochieng

The family of the national soccer women’s U20 team, the Rising Starlets captain Jane Hato is in distress, following her disappearance.

The Police Bullets FC player reportedly went missing last night under unclear circumstances, with various agencies putting measures in place to trace her whereabouts.

Reports indicate that her last known location was around the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Nairobi, when her phone went off.

According to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Jane Hato was expected to join her Kenya Police Bullets FC teammates for the journey to Ethiopia for the Confederations of African Football (CAF) women’s champions league zonal qualifiers. However, she did not arrive at the designated meeting point.

“Urgent Appeal. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of U20 Rising Starlets captain Jane Hato please contact your nearest police station, her family (0710322573) or Jectan from FKF (0727382466),” the football governing body appealed on social media.

A similar alert was raised by her Kenya Police Bullets FC team. “We regret to inform the public that Jane Hato, a player on our team, has been reported missing since yesterday. We were initially hopeful that it was a minor delay, but the situation has now become serious.”

“We urgently request anyone who has information about Jane Hato's whereabouts to contact the nearest police station immediately. Your assistance in helping us locate Jane is greatly appreciated.”

The midfielder was among 24 Kenya Police Bullets FC players expected to travel to Ethiopia. Her teammates safely travelled, and are looking forward to the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA zonal qualifiers, to be played from August 17 to September 4, 2024.

The 2023/2024 Kenya Women Premier League champions are coached by Beldine Odemba.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Mishi Mbaru, Diana Tembesi, Annedy Kundu

Defenders: Norah Anne, Stella Oduor, Nelly Sawe, Juliet Andibo, Elizabeth Ochaka, Leah Andiema, Quinter Owiti

Midfielders: Lydia Akoth, Lydia Waganda, Diana Wacera, Sharon Juma, Yasmin Khalid, Mary Ndhambi, Christine Nafula

Attackers: Rebecca Okwaro, Puren Anyetu, Emily Moranga, Lucy Kwekwe, Mercy Masika, Bertha Omita