Mandera, Kenya – President William Ruto has issued a strong demand for the immediate release of five chiefs abducted by suspected members of the outlawed Al Shabaab terror group in Elwak, Mandera County. He condemned the abductions as a desperate attempt by the militants to instill fear, following Kenya’s firm stance in the war on terror.
Speaking on Tuesday, February 4, at Moi Stadium in Mandera County, President Ruto assured residents that his administration is fully committed to securing the safe return of the abducted chiefs. He directed Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to take all necessary measures to ensure their release and reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism.
“Security is paramount for our country. We are combating criminals, hooligans, and terrorists who seek to disrupt peace. Because we have made it difficult for them to operate, they resorted to cowardly acts by kidnapping our chiefs,” Ruto stated.
The President vowed that his administration would not be intimidated by such acts of terror. He revealed that the abductions appeared to be an attempt to deter his visit to Mandera, a move he dismissed as futile.
“We have significantly weakened Al Shabaab’s ability to terrorize northern Kenya, and we will not relent until the region is as secure as the rest of the country. If they thought their actions would scare me away from Mandera, they were mistaken. I am here, and I will stay as long as necessary,” he declared.
Ruto further underscored that his government will not allow any part of Kenya to be overrun by terrorists, emphasizing the importance of territorial integrity and security.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that every part of Kenya is important. We will not cede an inch of our territory to criminals or those who seek to spread chaos,” he asserted.
Al Shabaab Kidnaps Five Chiefs in Mandera Ahead of President Ruto’s Visit
The abduction occurred as the chiefs were traveling towards Elwak, reportedly for a security planning meeting ahead of the President’s visit. The officials, from Wargadud East, Qurahmudow, and Chachabole, were hijacked between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki. A multi-agency security operation has since been launched to track the abductors, who are believed to have fled toward Somalia.
In a related development, Kenya’s elite Special Operations Group (SOG) quick response unit encountered an improvised explosive device (IED) attack while responding to the incident, leading to delays in the rescue operation. Despite these setbacks, the government remains steadfast in its efforts to bring the chiefs home safely and dismantle terrorist networks operating in the region.
The abduction highlights the persistent security challenges in northern Kenya, but President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to eliminate threats posed by Al Shabaab and ensure peace prevails across the country.
