Time is running out for five kidnapped local chiefs from Mandera County as Al Shabaab militants demand a Sh7 million ransom for their release. The chiefs Mohammed Adawa, Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Noor, assistant chief Ibrahim Gabow, and senior chief Abdi Suraw were abducted on February 3 while en route to Elwak for official duties. Their vehicle was intercepted near Iresuki village, and eyewitnesses reported that the militants blindfolded them before driving towards Lafey, a region notorious for such attacks.
The kidnapping, which occurred just a day before President William Ruto’s visit to Mandera, has sparked fear and urgency in the community. Local elders have been scrambling to raise the ransom, holding meetings in Mandera and Nairobi, but it remains unclear how much has been collected. As the clock ticks, residents and security officials fear that any delays could endanger the lives of the hostages.
Security sources suggest the militants had prior knowledge of the chiefs’ movements, raising suspicions of local complicity. This latest abduction underscores the growing insecurity in northeastern Kenya, where Al Shabaab continues to exploit the porous border with Somalia. In December, suspected militants shot dead a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) driver, highlighting the persistent threats in the region.
The urgency of the situation has reignited the debate on whether to negotiate with terrorists. An official familiar with the matter disclosed that approximately 60 Kenyans remain in Al Shabaab captivity, including a soldier from Wajir who has been held in Jilib since January 2016. His family is also racing against time to raise Sh2 million for his release. Experts warn that paying ransoms could embolden the militants, encouraging more kidnappings.
President Ruto has vowed swift action, tasking Deputy Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli with leading rescue operations. During his visit, he reassured residents that the government is committed to eliminating insecurity in the region. However, many remain skeptical, questioning the effectiveness of past security strategies.
As time dwindles, the kidnapped chiefs’ fate hangs in the balance. While their families and communities desperately try to raise the ransom, there is an urgent need for a long-term solution. Ruto emphasized plans to expand infrastructure and boost economic opportunities in the region, seeing development as a crucial step toward stability. However, for now, the primary focus remains on securing the chiefs’ safe return before it’s too late.
