Mandera: Joy as five chiefs abducted by Al-Shabaab in February reunited with their families

The return of five chiefs from Mandera County who were abducted by suspected Al-Shabaab militia in February stirred deep emotions among their family, friends and relatives who were on hand to welcome them back home after more than 60 days in captivity.

It was a moment of relief, joy, and excitement for everyone involved. The former hostages describing it as bittersweet; joy mixed with pain. The trauma of their captivity remains deeply etched in their consciousness.

“Tunarudishia shukrani wazee wetu waliotufuatilia penye tulipelekwa mpaka wakahakikisha tumerudi salama,” said Mohamed Noor Hache, Chief, Chachabole.

Wargadud Chief Adaw Abdi Mohamed stated: “Na tunarudishia pia shukrani kwa serikali yetu kwa support yake kwa hiyo wazee. ile serikali ya nchi jirani ya Somalia na hii yetu wote tunawarudishia shukrani hasaa jamii yetu ile wametushughulikia sana.”

Days of waiting, worry, and hope coming together in this reunion, but it also marks the start of a new chapter filled with its own set of challenges.

The families now take up the overwhelming burden of serving as emotional anchors for those released as they deal with the mental complexities of transitioning back to everyday life after the ordeal they went through in a foreign land.

Mandera Central Deputy County Commissioner Tobia Otungu said: “Today we want to share the joy with all of them and to say that we are very grateful to God for this miracle and we are going to start a new journey with them of healing from the traumas that they have gone through.”

The five, Mohamed Adawa, Mohamed Hassan, Abdi Hassan, Mohamed Noor Hache and Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow, were ambushed on February 3, 2025 by suspected terrorists in Wargadud as they were heading to Elwak Town for official duty.

The incident happened hours before President William Ruto arrived in Mandera to commence his week-long political tour of North Eastern region.

While in Mandera, President Ruto vowed to ensure the five are set free and rejoin their families. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen affirmed that the government is keen on the welfare of the chiefs.

“We were very worried about our chiefs and there are chiefs who have lost their lives in public service…nimesema kwamba those chiefs we will make sure that we take care of their families…those who have been attacked, nyumba zao zimechomwa mali zao zimeharibiwa because of dealing with insecurity issues,” said Murkomen.

Mandera South MP Abdulo Haro stated: “I thank even the elders in Somalia, whatever communities and clans which assisted in the negotiations, whoever supported though prayer, word of mouth or walking with our elders to the negotiations, we thank all of you.”