At least five chiefs were abducted on Monday by suspected Al Shabaab militants in Elwak, Mandera County, in what appears to be a targeted attack ahead of President William Ruto’s planned visit to the region this week.
According to police reports and witness accounts, the chiefs were traveling in a vehicle from Wargadud to Elwak when they were ambushed between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki. The officials were en route to a meeting meant to plan security coverage for Ruto’s visit when their car was intercepted and hijacked by armed attackers believed to have links to the Somalia-based terror group.
Mandera South Police Commander Julius Njeru confirmed the incident, stating that security forces had launched a major operation to track the assailants and rescue the missing chiefs. Initial reports suggest that the attackers, after seizing the administrators, quickly crossed the porous Kenya-Somalia border into militant-controlled territory.
President Ruto is set to visit various counties in the northern region, including Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, and Wajir, to assess development projects and engage with local leaders. A key highlight of his itinerary includes a cabinet meeting in Garissa, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing security concerns in the region.
Following the abduction, security forces launched a multi-agency operation, intensifying surveillance and patrols along the border to deter further attacks. Over the past year, authorities have ramped up counterterrorism efforts, leading to a notable reduction in incidents. However, Mandera and its neighboring counties remain hotspots for Al Shabaab activities, with militants frequently crossing into Kenya to stage attacks before retreating into Somalia.
Monday’s abduction is the latest in a string of terror-related incidents targeting government officials and security personnel in Mandera. In December 2023, a driver attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was shot dead by suspected Al Shabaab militants in Lafey. His body was dumped before the attackers fled with his government-issued vehicle.
Despite ongoing security operations, the threat posed by Al Shabaab remains a significant challenge, affecting development and stability in Kenya’s northeastern region. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies as efforts to rescue the abducted chiefs continue.
As Ruto’s visit approaches, security forces are expected to intensify operations to neutralize potential threats and ensure the president’s safety during his tour of the volatile region.
