Five chiefs who were abducted on February 3rd in Elwak Town, Mandera County, have been freed, authorities confirmed.
However, the chiefs are still in Somalia, where they had been held hostage by suspected al-Shabaab militants for nearly two months.
The chiefs—Mohamed Adawa, Mohamed Hassan, Abdi Hassan, Mohamed Noor Hache, and Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow—were abducted while traveling to a meeting with the Elwak Deputy County Commissioner to discuss plans for President William Ruto’s visit to the region.
The chiefs’ release was reportedly secured through negotiations led by local elders, who had been in continuous dialogue with the captors throughout the ordeal.
It is still unclear whether a ransom was paid, as initial reports had suggested the militants demanded payment for their release.
Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the chiefs’ release, stating, “We have 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 home shortly.”
He added, “This is very good news, and it is the result of collaborative efforts. As I previously mentioned, the government worked together with the community and the Mandera County government, and this process has yielded positive results.”
