Murkomen breaks silence on the fate of 5 Kenyan chiefs freed by Al Shabaab terrorists
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed the release of five Kenyan chiefs who were held captive by the Islamist terrorist group Al Shabaab in Somalia for two months.
Speaking to the media on Monday, April 7, 2025, Murkomen announced that the chiefs were freed through a collaborative effort involving the national government, the Mandera county government, and the local border community.
“Our chiefs that were abducted in Mandera have now been released and they are in the hands of Kenyan officials. They will be arriving home anytime soon. This is very good news, based [on] collaborative efforts,” Murkomen said.
He clarified that while the chiefs were released to Kenyan officials, they had not yet crossed back into Kenyan territory.
“We will be commenting further in the near future once our chiefs are in the country. I will give you even more updates on the progress and what we are doing,” Murkomen added.
Murkomen also commended the work of security officials in safeguarding Kenya’s borders.
“The thing that many Kenyans need to know is that our country is safe because there are men and women who are making great sacrifices. The fact that we don’t discuss threats of terrorism and Al Shabaab and so forth every day does not mean that our country is not facing constant threats from these elements. The real meaning is that the men and women who have gone out there working in the field especially along our borders are doing a fantastic job to protect the rest of us,” he stated.
The five chiefs were abducted on February 3, 2025, in the Elwak area of Mandera County, a day before President William Ruto’s visit to the region.
They were traveling in a vehicle belonging to one of the chiefs when they were intercepted by Al Shabaab militants.
President Ruto, after the incident, suggested that the abductions were an attempt to disrupt his tour.
“These people thought that I would not come if they did what they did yesterday. I have not only come to Mandera but I am also going to sleep here. If I want I can also sleep here again because this is part of Kenya,” Ruto said.
He directed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to lead security operations to ensure the chiefs’ safe return.
The chiefs were abducted between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki in Mandera South.
The Kenyan government, working with local elders, had been actively pursuing their release.
President Ruto, during his visit to Mandera, vowed to deal with the Al Shabaab militants.
“We will deal with the terrorists, and that is why I have come with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, to say that no matter what happens, that issue must be promptly addressed,” Ruto asserted.
The incident occurred amidst heightened security concerns in Kenya due to increased Al Shabaab activity along the border with Somalia.
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