MOMBASA, Kenya – The Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has confirmed the release of five chiefs who were abducted over a month ago in Mandera County.
Speaking during a press briefing in Mombasa on Monday, Murkomen said the chiefs are now in the custody of Kenyan officials and are expected to return home soon.
“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 arriving home anytime soon,” said Murkomen.
He credited the successful release to a collaborative effort between the national government, the Mandera County Government, and local communities.
“As I announced before, as a government, we decided to work together with the county government of Mandera and the local community. That process has borne fruit,” he stated.
Arrived in Mombasa to kick off our Jukwaa la Usalama County Tours. These are public engagements on security, citizen services and cohesion.Jukwaa la Usalama involves engaging with residents, leaders, the clergy, regional and county security teams, National Government
Murkomen said more details about the chiefs’ current location and condition will be provided in due course and assured the public of continued updates on government efforts to secure the region.
The five — Mohamed Adawa, Mohamed Hassan, Abdi Hassan, Mohamed Noor Hache, and Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow — were abducted in mid-February while en route to a planning meeting with the Elwak Deputy County Commissioner ahead of President William Ruto’s visit to the region.
According to eyewitnesses, armed militants blindfolded the chiefs, commandeered their vehicle, and drove them toward Lafey, an area with a history of militant activity.
Security officials suspect the attackers had advance knowledge of the chiefs’ movements, raising concerns about local collusion.
Local elders who remained in communication with the captors throughout the 40-day ordeal led the negotiations that eventually secured the chiefs’ release.
It remains unclear whether the group’s reported demand for a Sh7 million ransom was met.
