Five Chiefs who were abducted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in February have been released.
The 5 were released on Sunday, April 6 afternoon following intense negotiations by elders from Kenya and Somalia.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed their release stating that he would divulge more details later.
"Our chiefs, who were abducted in Mandera, have now been released and are in the hands of Kenyan officials. They will be arriving home anytime soon. This is good news, thanks to the collaborative efforts between the County Government of Mandera and the community. We will provide further comments and updates once our chiefs are back in the country," CS Murkomen stated.
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The chiefs were hijacked and forcibly taken by gunmen on February 3, 2025, at the Elwak area in Mandera County, just a day before President William Ruto visited the Northern Kenya region.
They were traveling in a Mazda vehicle, which belongs to Chief Mohamednur Hache, when they were intercepted by the militants
Speaking after the incident, President Ruto said the abductions of the chiefs were meant to disrupt his tour to the northern part of Kenya.
"These people thought that I would not come if they did what they did yesterday. I have not only come to Mandera but I am also going to sleep here. If I want I can also sleep here again because this is part of Kenya.
"I want to make it clear that every part of Kenya is important and we are not going to cede an inch of our country to criminals and those who want to unleash mayhem,” said Ruto.
The Head of State directed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to spearhead security operations in the region, including efforts to bring the abducted chiefs home safely.
“I have told Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli that we will go above and beyond, in every direction to resolve this issue,” Ruto added.
