Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that 5 Chiefs who were abducted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera have been released.
Speaking on Monday, April 7, CS Murkomen said the 5 chiefs are in the hands of Kenyan officials and will be arriving in the country soon and reunite with their families.
The Interior CS noted that the chiefs were released following collaborative efforts of the national government, the local community, and the Mandera County government.
“Our chiefs that were abducted in Mandera have been released, and they are now in the hands of Kenyan officials, and they will be arriving home anytime soon.
“This is very good news and is based on collaborative efforts as I announced before that as government we decided to work together with the community and the county government of Mandera and this process ahs borne fruit,” said Murkomen.
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The 5 administrators were released on Sunday, April 6, evening from captivity in Jilb, Somalia.
The chiefs, who include Mohammed Adawa, Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Noor, Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow, and Senior Chief Abdi Suraw, were abducted on February 3 in Elwak, Mandera County, a day before President William Ruto began his Northern Kenya tour.
The 5 were traveling in a Mazda vehicle when they were intercepted by the Al-Shabaab militants and kidnapped.
Speaking after the incident, President Ruto claimed that the abduction of the chiefs was meant to disrupt his tour to the northern part of Kenya.
The Head of State then directed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to spearhead security operations in the region, including efforts to bring the abducted chiefs home safely.
