Five Kenyan village chiefs who were abducted two months ago by suspected Al-Shabaab militants near the Kenya-Somalia border have been safely released, the government has confirmed.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, announced the development on Sunday during a media briefing at the Coast Regional Commissioner’s Office, expressing relief at the safe return of the chiefs and commending those involved in their rescue.
The abducted chiefs — Mohamed Adawa, Mohamed Hassan, Abdi Hassan, Mohamed Noor Hache, and Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow — were taken in February while traveling from Wargadud to Elwak town in Mandera County.
The incident occurred just a day before President William Ruto was scheduled to visit the county, raising concerns over growing insecurity in the volatile region.
According to officials, the chiefs were kidnapped near the porous Kenya-Somalia border and taken into Somalia, a region where the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militant group is known to operate and maintain influence.
The extremist group has long targeted border towns and public officials in northeastern Kenya in its ongoing insurgency.
“We have very good news that our chiefs who were abducted in Mandera have been released and are now in the hands of Kenyan officials. They will be arriving home anytime soon,” Murkomen stated.
He praised the collaborative efforts of the Mandera community, as well as officials from both national and county governments, in securing the chiefs’ release.
While the circumstances surrounding their release remain unclear, Murkomen assured the public that investigations are ongoing to uncover the details of the abduction and prevent similar incidents in the future.
“This collaborative process has borne fruit. We will share more details once the chiefs are back in the country,” he said.
Murkomen also acknowledged the dedication of police officers, national reservists, and local administrators operating in high-risk border areas, noting their critical role in safeguarding Kenya’s territorial integrity.
“Kenyans need to know that our safety is due to the dedication of our police officers, national reservists, local administrators, and vigilant citizens. Their tireless efforts often go unrecognized, but they are the backbone of our national security,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order, the Cabinet Secretary warned against actions that incite unrest or disrupt public peace, stressing that the rule of law would be upheld across the country.
“This country will be governed by the rule of law. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We will not tolerate lawlessness or extrajudicial behaviour,” Murkomen declared.
The safe return of the abducted chiefs comes as a significant relief to their families and communities, and serves as a reminder of the persistent security challenges faced in Kenya’s northeastern region, particularly along the Somalia border.
The government has reiterated its pledge to enhance surveillance and strengthen security infrastructure in the region to protect public servants and civilians alike.
Share This Post