Interior CS Murkomen confirms release of five abducted chiefs in Mandera
The chiefs are now in the custody of Kenyan officials and are expected to return home soon.
The Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, has confirmed the release of five chiefs who were abducted in Mandera County.
The chiefs are now in the custody of Kenyan officials and are expected to return home soon. The abduction had sparked concern among residents and leaders in the region, prompting urgent government intervention.
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“We have good news that our chiefs who were abducted in Mandera have been released, and they are now in the hands of Kenyan officials. They will be arriving home anytime soon,” said Murkomen during a press briefing in Mombasa on Monday.
He attributed the successful release to a collaborative approach between the national government, the Mandera County Government, and local communities.
The Interior CS noted that the government had earlier pledged to work closely with the affected communities to resolve the crisis.
"As I announced before, as a government, we decided to work together with the community and county government of Mandera and the local community. The process has borne fruit,” he stated, adding that further details regarding the chiefs' location and well-being within the country would be provided in due course.
Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen during a press briefing in Mombasa on April 7, 2025. (Farhiya Hussein)
Murkomen assured the public of continued updates on the government's progress in securing safety in the region.
Mohamed Adawa, Mohamed Hassan, Abdi Hassan, Mohamed Noor Hache, and Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow were abducted by unidentified assailants while en route to a meeting with the Elwak Deputy County Commissioner to plan for President William Ruto’s visit to the region.
According to eyewitnesses, the armed militants blindfolded the chiefs, commandeered their vehicle, and drove toward Lafey—an area long associated with similar attacks.
Security officials believe the attackers had prior knowledge of the chiefs’ movements, raising concerns about possible local collusion.
Local elders, who had been in constant communication with the captors throughout the ordeal, led the negotiations that resulted in the chiefs' release.
It remains unclear whether the militia group’s reported demand for a Sh7 million ransom was met.
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