Five Mandera Chiefs Freed After Two Months in al-Shabaab Captivity

• Apr 07, 2025

Five chiefs from Mandera County who were abducted by suspected al-Shabaab militants on February 3 have finally been released. Their freedom brings an end to a two-month ordeal that drew national attention and sparked concern over the safety of public officials in the region.

The chiefs were reportedly dropped off near the Kenya-Somalia border on the evening of Sunday, April 6, by unknown individuals. Local authorities confirmed the release and credited successful negotiations led by community elders working closely with security agencies.

The abducted chiefs—Mohamed Noor Hache, Mohamed Adawa of Wargadud Town, Abdi Hassan of Qurahmudow, Mohamed Hassan of Wargadud East, and assistant chief Ibrahim Gabow—were seized while on official duty. They were traveling from Wargadud to Elwak town to attend a meeting in preparation for President William Ruto’s planned visit to the region.

Sources say the five were blindfolded and transported across the border toward Somalia shortly after their abduction. Their disappearance triggered a swift response from security forces and prompted intense dialogue involving local elders who engaged the captors to secure the chiefs' safe return.

President Ruto later suggested that the chiefs were likely targeted as retaliation for the government’s ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-Eastern region, where Kenyan security forces have intensified efforts to dismantle militant networks.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo addressed the situation, emphasizing that the government had been working behind the scenes to ensure the officers' safe return. He ruled out the use of military force, citing the potential risk to the captives' lives and the complexity of dealing with terrorism-related situations.

Omollo also stressed that the incident highlights the shared responsibility in combating insecurity and serves as a reminder that public officials and ordinary citizens alike are vulnerable to such threats.

The release of the five chiefs has brought relief to their families and communities, although it also raises serious concerns about security in border regions where militant activity remains a persistent challenge.